Jeremy Quinn reviews Fences.
FENCES
Director: Denzel Washington
Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola
Davis, Stephen McKinley
Henderson, Jovan Adepo,
Russell Hornsby
Rating: (PG) ★★★+
The late August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning Fences, a much-venerated work of hefty themes and considerable importance, is the sixth in his Pittsburgh Cycle, a series of 10 plays reflecting the African-American experience in each decade of the 20th century.
This big-screen adaptation, by Wilson himself, finally came to fruition when a successful 2010 Broadway revival, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, led to Washington expressing interest in directing the film version.
Wilson's decree that it should only be made by a black director meant the project could now be completed with the author's blessing.
The quality of the ensemble cast jumps out from the get-go, and the characters are as raw and honest as they come. Washington and Davis, both magnificent, play Troy and Rose Maxson.
He's a garbage man living in the Hill District of 1950s Pittsburgh, a raconteur of the highest order, and eternally resentful that he was never able to play baseball in the Major Leagues due to racial barriers. She's his stoic and faithful wife, who over the years has learned to quietly absorb his anger and regret in the greater service of their home and family.
The material is fantastic, and the dialogue soars to the point where it's almost overwhelming. However, there's also no let up, so when the key emotive scenes arrive they fall flat.
As a director, Washington plays it safe, and it works for the most part, but I wonder if a few cinematic flourishes would have lifted this into greatness.
