Director: Denzel Washington
Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and Stephen Henderson
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Few actresses in Hollywood are as beloved as Viola Davis. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Davis has become a feminist icon in the film industry. Whether it’s housekeepers, African tribe leaders or famous singers, Davis has portrayed several compelling characters. Arguably, Davis’ finest strength as an actress has always been her strong presence. She is one of those actresses that has often excelled at playing strong feminist characters. She has always had an aptitude for commanding every scene through her powerful presence. Through her abilities to play feminist heroines that are compelling, Davis has built a legacy which is lasting. A beloved figure in Hollywood, Davis has stood the test of time as an actress with a strong livelihood. A commemorated symbol of empowerment in the black community, Davis has built a lasting legacy: Throughout her enduring career, Davis has portrayed countless powerful characters that are compelling.
I’m a huge fan of Viola Davis and adore all the films she has made throughout her prosperous career. However, “Fences” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2016, Denzel Washington’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. With his most emotional film, Washington did an extraordinary job of adapting a celebrated Broadway play. Packed with stunning visuals, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest stage adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Viola Davis, who embodies a conflicted mother struggling to raise her black family. Ultimately, what makes “Fences” one of the best movies ever made is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the bonds among family which will resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing adaptation of a bold Broadway play, there are several reasons why “Fences” is worth watching.
Based on August Wilson’s beloved Broadway play, “Fences” follows an African-American family whose stable life goes astray. Denzel Washington embodies Troy Maxson, a father which struggles to raise his African-American family. Troy is a brave father with commanding authority that is determined to take care of his family. Troy has always shared a long-lasting bond with his wife Rose (Viola Davis), whom he loves dearly. However, Troy’s live spirals out of control when he loses his stable employment. Frustrated with his stressful life situation, Troy takes out his frustration on his son Cory (Jovan Adepo). Facing a dilemma, Troy questions if he can ever cope with family trauma. As his bond with his son falls apart, Troy wonders whether he will ever be able to mend relationships with family that holds a precious place in his heart. Experiencing a troublesome situation, Troy is forced to question whether he could raise his family with dedication.
Denzel Washington is a newcomer towards stage musicals. Before he directed “Fences”, Washington had never directed a Broadway adaptation before. It was the director’s first attempt to adapt a Broadway play capturing the lives of African-American families, but he succeeded tremendously. It isn’t easy to translate a Broadway musical into a movie. However, Washington pulls it off effectively. Using spellbinding cinematography, Washington captures tense hardships faced by a father struggling raising his family amid the 1950’s. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Washington has always had an aptitude for blocking actors in his films, and his strengths are clearly evident in “Fences”. Washington deftly uses blocking to capture the life of an African-American dad raising his black family. For instance, blocking elevates the son argument scene. During this memorable scene, Troy gives Corey a lecture about his important role as a father. Blocking is a complicated technique to use in films. As George C. Wolfe’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” suggested, blocking enhances stage musical adaptations about jazz artists. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Washington captures fathers seeking to nurture African American families which are terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “Fences” is the production-design. It isn’t simple to adapt a celebrated Broadway play on the big-screen. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in movies. However, Washington pulls it off successfully. Washington effectively uses real-life locations across Pittsburgh to create an authentic portrayal of the neighbourhood. Throughout the movie, the neighbourhood is an essential setting that plays a pivotal role in the movie. For instance, the real life locations elevate the religious preacher scene. During this unforgettable scene, the Maxson family is visited by their mentally ill guest Gabriel. One admires the real-life Pittsburgh locations that capture a beauty of the celebrated Broadway production. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Marcelo Zarvos’ music is integral to the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the burden which African-American families bear. Though phenomenal production-design, Washington captures the lives of African-American families that decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Fences” is a captivating classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships of fathers raising families. Denzel Washington’s screenwriting strength is capturing struggles of African-American fathers raising families using dramatic monologues. Throughout the movie, Washington effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture a father struggling to raise his broken family. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the argument scene. In this heartbreaking scene, Troy and Rose have an intense argument after she discovers grim news of his extramarital affairs. One admires dramatic monologues capturing hardships of family in the 1950s. Dramatic monologues are complicated techniques. As the Coen Brothers’ “The Tragedy of Macbeth” suggested clearly, dramatic monologues elevate Shakespearean adaptations. Nevertheless, it works immensely in the movie. Through an amazing screenplay, Washington celebrates the legacy of an iconic Broadway play.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Denzel Washington delivers one of his finest performances as Troy Maxson, Washington achieved appreciation for playing conflicted cops in classic crime dramas. With “Fences”, however, he took on his most serious role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of an African-American father struggling raising a family during the 1950’s, but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, bravery and commanding authority of a commemorated father struggling raising his family in the 1950’s. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
Viola Davis is dazzling as a woman that faces a dilemma struggling raising her family during a past era. While Washington gets the showier role, Davis is also excellent as a woman whose fragile life spirals out of control. Davis is one of those actresses that has always thrived at expressing emotions through meaningful monologues in movies, and “Fences” showcased her strengths as a performer. Whether she’s cheerfully flirting with Troy or having a painful argument with her husband, Davis effectively uses her powerful voice to create a character which is compelling. It’s a colourful role which gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her commanding screen presence. It’s a stellar performance from one of the greatest actors working today.
Lastly, the final standout in the cast is Jovan Adepo, As Cory, he brings an air of humanity toward a son of an African family.
Finally, “Fences” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing fences barriers faced by families enduring destruction. Unlike most Broadway adaptations, the film tackles bold themes which everyone would relate to. The film tackles universal themes including family, identity and marriage which would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the Broadway play to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message about families which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Fences” is one of those rare adaptations that everyone will adore.
Fans of Viola Davis will definitely appreciate “Fences” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A brilliant adaptation of a beloved Broadway play, it celebrates a legendary actress that has built an enduring legacy today.
Nearly 40 years after the creation of a groundbreaking Broadway play about African-American fathers struggling raising broken families experiencing obstacles that are challenging, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about an actress that has gained a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition for portraying larger-than-life characters that are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 