Fences

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 16, 2016

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 263 Ratings

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AxeTJan 6, 2017

Denzel Washington is a great actor and one of the biggest movie stars, and he is the only thing about this that makes it watchable. It's a bore. A snooze. Nothing new. Yet it's well acted across the board, the photography is simple andDenzel Washington is a great actor and one of the biggest movie stars, and he is the only thing about this that makes it watchable. It's a bore. A snooze. Nothing new. Yet it's well acted across the board, the photography is simple and effective, and the music is mostly a spare light piano which generally is my favorite kind of score for adult dramas. It does have a few intense moments of dramatic humanity, with some nice directorial flourishes.
The source of this movie is a stage play, and with that comes drastic limitation unless it is adapted with great creative latitude. It stays pretty much a straight adaptation carrying along all the wall to wall nearly non-stop stagey affected dialogue which may be good for actors to showcase their talents but is wearing and somewhat unnaturalistic to the audience. The question must be asked: What does this little domestic story do on the big screen that couldn't be done on the small on say the Hallmark Channel? The answer is nothing really besides feature Denzel's face.
Funny little detail is I thought his friend at the beginning of the film was 'white' and not until the end of the movie did I suddenly realize he's 'black' and just has light skin, which points to the absurdity of emphasizing race in general though this has nothing to do with the movie itself.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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Rebecca31Feb 21, 2017

Fences is adapted from a play and there lies the problem. At no point does this film actually feel like a film. It feels like you’re watching a play on the big screen. A very, very long play. I’m sure on stage this is a very interesting andFences is adapted from a play and there lies the problem. At no point does this film actually feel like a film. It feels like you’re watching a play on the big screen. A very, very long play. I’m sure on stage this is a very interesting and moving story but in the cinema not so much. If you’re going to adapt a play into a film then you better make it feel like a film. The one location setting and severe lack of music was a mistake. Watching Denzel Washington was like being trapped inside the mind of a rambling drunk man spending the majority of the film ranting and raving about how terrible his life is, aw hell naw my son ain’t playin’ no football and I better get out back and build me this fence. I had no sympathy towards his character at all therefore I really didn’t care about him or his problems. As the story progresses all I did was hate him more. It’s exhausting just to listen to him for 2 hours 20 minutes. Perhaps the only redeeming factor was Viola Davis who stole the show and gave an emotional performance. Unlike angry Washington I did actually care about her character.
Very disappointing and with the superb cast this should have been much better. I’m not recommending this film but if you enjoy Oscar bait then by all means give this one a try.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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RatedRexJan 2, 2017

"Fences" seems confined, almost claustiphobic. It rarely branched out beyond the inside of the house and the backyard. The difference between a play and a movie is: a plays tells us what it wants us to know, while a movie shows us. The movie"Fences" seems confined, almost claustiphobic. It rarely branched out beyond the inside of the house and the backyard. The difference between a play and a movie is: a plays tells us what it wants us to know, while a movie shows us. The movie version of "Fences" didn't "show" enough. I wanted to see what went on at the bar with his girlfriend. I wanted to see what went on at the school, and at the hospital, and the church, and the meeting with his bosses.., and any other location that involved one of the main characters. Don't tell me what happened...SHOW ME! So, although Denzel did a decent job as an actor, (I got sick of hearing him talk; it was refreshing when the movie fell silent every now and then). And although Viola Davis tore up the screen (as usual). The movie falls short because Denzel, as a director, played it safe. This could have been a classic. Instead, I left the theatre worn out and ready to go home. 2.5 stars… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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netflicDec 28, 2016

It's an adaptation of a play with the same name, written by August Wilson.
Directed by Denzel Washington.
It looked and felt too theatrical to me. Non-stop monologues, too many close-ups. One person talks, others just stand and wait for theirIt's an adaptation of a play with the same name, written by August Wilson.
Directed by Denzel Washington.
It looked and felt too theatrical to me. Non-stop monologues, too many close-ups.
One person talks, others just stand and wait for their turn. I am sure it was a good play, but even Viola Davis (who was fantastic as usual) did not save this film. The movie is just good enough to go and see it but it does not deserve its hype.
I probably should mention Denzel Washington's good performance as an actor but I do not think it was his best acting, and I did not like the way he directed the film.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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TellerilDec 30, 2016

Sad to say, but this movie is overhyped and praised by the mainstream. Why praise a stale movie such as this, internal politics and the name behind it. Denzel Washington is a very fine actor and Viola Davis is truly astounding, but to saySad to say, but this movie is overhyped and praised by the mainstream. Why praise a stale movie such as this, internal politics and the name behind it. Denzel Washington is a very fine actor and Viola Davis is truly astounding, but to say this movie is the best of the year has me questioning journalist's judgment. I would see it regardless, but know that this screenplay is not a screenplay, but a stage play that was put on film. Denzel you are a brilliant actor, but you shouldn't have directed your own movie that is a play adaptation while playing the lead.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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FadeBlackJun 25, 2017

While this is a very strong drama with truly fantastic performances, it is clear why it is much better suited as a play than a film. I do believe there are certain criteria that distinguish film from other art forms, and simply put having 2-3While this is a very strong drama with truly fantastic performances, it is clear why it is much better suited as a play than a film. I do believe there are certain criteria that distinguish film from other art forms, and simply put having 2-3 locations in the entire 2+hour movie does not cut it. But other than that, good.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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MCG2017May 6, 2017

Boring film. As usual, critics created a lot of hype like all denzel washington films but in the end the film is unsmokable.
all is reduced to a bunch of **** doing **** talk non stop for 30 minutes. NON STOP. the insane bla bla bla bla blaBoring film. As usual, critics created a lot of hype like all denzel washington films but in the end the film is unsmokable.
all is reduced to a bunch of **** doing **** talk non stop for 30 minutes. NON STOP. the insane bla bla bla bla bla bla bla gives headache. like aaron sorking m60-like infinite speechs.
The rest of the film is more **** talking and 2 shamingfull performances in contrast with the awesome character of viola.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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edwardgonzalezApr 21, 2017

I feel like the 6 points go to Viola's acting and the story, which probably works better as a play because Denzel's directing was a bit lost, though his acting was actually good.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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LeZeeJun 15, 2017

Trying to be a good husband and father!

It took nearly a decade for Denzel to direct another film and this time it sailed through the Oscars with four nominations and one won out of it. Yeah, it was Viola Davis, who snatched the mostTrying to be a good husband and father!

It took nearly a decade for Denzel to direct another film and this time it sailed through the Oscars with four nominations and one won out of it. Yeah, it was Viola Davis, who snatched the most prestigious award for her supporting actress role. Originally the film based on the stage play of the same name. It is a drama takes place in the 50s about a hard working family man, Troy. His past was not very good, which makes him a little arrogant when it comes to raining his boy. Marrying Rose was the best ever thing happened in his life. Though it was not a perfect family. The differences between them is what later bring twist and turns in the tale before heading for the final of the final act.

A very simple drama on the fine topic. Most of the film was just a conversation or arguments. And most of the film was little slow moving with the very long overall runtime. If you can manage that, you can enjoy it. If you are a drama genre fan, then you will be more than happy for giving it a try. One of the best drama films of the year, yet not the greatest. It's all finger points at the performances. Those magnificent actors displayed magnificent show. Nearly 35 years old screenplay and 70 years old timeline, still looked the same and powerful. Despite the film's success and poured praises, I don't think it is for everyone. Definitely young generations won't enjoy it. It is mainly for families.

6/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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joelgreenbergDec 28, 2016

"Fences" is hobbled by a director. who can't resist showing us everythiing we should be seeing and feeling for ourselves. August Wilson's screenplay, based on his play, tells us quite enough and, occasionally, more than enough about"Fences" is hobbled by a director. who can't resist showing us everythiing we should be seeing and feeling for ourselves. August Wilson's screenplay, based on his play, tells us quite enough and, occasionally, more than enough about characters' feelings and inner turmoil. It's all in the faces of an excellent cast, but Denzel Washington, who directed and also stars, can't let good enough alone. In one scene, when Rose, the Washington character's wife, beautifully played by Viola Davis, runs out of the house and drops an important - and clumcy symbolic object - the camera can't resist following the fallen object. There are also similar lapses when the camera lingers on faces or objects long enough for us to be nudged out of the film's emotional life. And that's exacerbated by much in the latter part of the screenplay when characters are handed stage-bound monologues that don't translate as anything but well-crafted text - poetic imagery and shifts in language replace what had been commonplace dialogue filled with phrases and slang familiar to these people and their time. August Wilson exhibits the strong influences of O'Neill, Miller and the mid-20th century American playwrights who struggled to create a unique American voice for the stage. "Fences" doesn't benefit from this screen adaptation any more than its central symbol and metaphor, which lands with a thud.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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MattBrady99Oct 26, 2017

"Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in".

'Fences' is what I call an "actors movie". Great acting all round, good story, and a easy straight forward narrative. Other than that, it falls"Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in".

'Fences' is what I call an "actors movie". Great acting all round, good story, and a easy straight forward narrative. Other than that, it falls flat. Denzel directing is bland and the film has a lot of pacing issues, as I felt the runtime. Of course this was based on a stage play and it sure feels like it even watching it. Because every monologue has to be shout and be big like a stage performance, but at the same time fits certain characters. Kind of a mix bag really.

You could say the main goal was to make it look and feel like a play. I mean, many movies have done it, but did it so much better. It got pretty repetitive after awhile and has a rusty flow.

While a movie adaption of 'Fences' wasn't really needed, but it's the performances and story that keeps things a float. Honestly, this is some of the best I've seen from Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Both delivering powerhouse and unstoppable performances. It doesn't shy away from dark themes and I know a lot of people will be uncomfortable, but moved of what's be presented.

Just to be clear, I don't hate the movie, as it may seem. There's a lot to be liked and some may disagree with the points I brought up, which is totally fine.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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