I'll just start by saying that if Denzel Washington deserved an Oscar for anything in his career, it's this! Not that I think he shouldn't have won for other films too, but this is his masterpiece!
Adapted from the play of the same name, "Fences" is the story of a family that has had a rough time. The father Troy (Denzel Washington) is a trash collector in Pittsburgh during the 1950's. Troy is a bitter man because he had missed his opportunity to play professional baseball once the MLB started to allow black players into the league. Still, he works everyday to provide for his wife (Viola Davis) and his son (Jovan Adepo).
Tensions in the family rise as Cory (Adepo) is set to visit a college recruiter for football. Troy's personal feelings cause him to create turmoil and prevents Cory from meeting the recruiter. Troy also bares the burden of caring for his brother Gabe, played by the talented Mykelti Williamson of "Forest Gump" fame. Gabe suffered a traumatic head injury while fighting against the Japanese during the war. In addition to Gabe, Troy finds himself funding an older son's gambling addiction. All the while being supported by Rose (Davis), his wife of 18 years.
You see the build up of disappointment, jealousy, tension, and a kind of deep seeded depression within Troy as he starts to crumble. Of course, Rose is there to pick up the pieces and try to glue the family together. This is a truly great story of family and devotion.
The movie is filmed in a style much like you would view the play. Denzel Washington, pulling double duty as an actor and director gives you very specific sets, and not much camera movement, to mimic the feeling of watching from the private boxes at a playhouse. With every performance being absolutely stellar, this is a film not just to watch, but to experience. I would suggest this for anyone 12 and over.
No comments:
Post a Comment