Fences reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@wcsstudios1]

As someone who does know the play, I think Denzel did a good job opening up the film just enough when it served the narrative while still keeping the locations limited to give off the vital sense that Troy and his family are stuck at the house. If we kept dropping in on the characters at a bunch of different places and the camera had been sweeping about to make it look cinematic, it would not have quite sold that same despair at being fixed at the same bitter place in your life for years without any deeply felt prospects of progressing beyond.

[@ChrisH78]

I had zero awareness of the play but, as Mark said, within a few minutes of watching it I got the feeling it was an adaptation of a play. However that did nothing to nullify my enjoyment of this film. Amazing performances from everyone and I am glad I saw it.

[@thomasfield9281]

I thought Fences was utterly enthralling. A film that needn't rely on cinematics because the performances grabbed all my attention. I actually like the fact it felt like seeing a play and of course the bonus of this film is the fact I know who August Wilson is now.

[@taliaprice1909]

Viola Davis is just amazing.

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film’s very well acted, terrifically directed, stylish, effective, realistic & the cast delivers one of their best roles. (95%) (5/5 stars) (positive)

[@VideoCop]

I wish I could have enjoyed this movie but I had 4 noisey women sitting in front of me constantly talking throughout way loud "MMMHMM GIRL!" "OH NO HE DIDNT!" also while constantly pulling their phones out with full brightness. This was a Christmas night showing too :(

[@dariusasghari]

My condolences.

[@tonybennett4159]

A while ago, I was at a movie with a group of girls at the back making a racket, chatting and giggling. I went to them and politely asked them to be more respectful of others. Five minutes after, they started again. I was beaten to the draw as somebody near the front got up and left the auditorium, returning shortly thereafter with bouncers. The girls were ejected. Surely something like that could be available to you?

[@VideoCop]

The problem was I was with 2 friends and I said to them do you want to leave and get our money back for a diff day? And he didnt want to, dont know why, I just dealt with it. Plus it was Christmas and these werent the kind of ladies I was going to tell to be quiet, haha.

[@shagga594]

If there's more than one theater in your town then you should probably start watching films there. Also don't see anything before boxing day because everyone is probably drunk and I will be too.

[@bilalkhares9337]

The really unsatisfying thing about this film is that Troy never gets properly humiliated and put in his place.

[@callumsutherland2954]

That wouldn't be the point. That wouldn't be the message, and more importantly, it wouldn't be warranted. The plot was never leading to some satisfying ending where Cory becomes a football star and Troy is humiliated and everyone lives happily ever after. Surely you could get more out of _Fences_ by asking _why_ Troy never got his comeuppance? What does that lack of satisfaction mean for the plot as a whole? What does it say about the figure of Troy, or the characters he imposed himself on through the course of the film? What does it say about Cory, who Rose said "had his father in him?" You can find so much satisfaction in interpreting a film -- far more than the base satisfaction of seeing Troy get his desserts.

[@Chkowu88]

When is Mark going to review Moonlight?

[@jamespotter3660]

it works much better when seen on the 'small screen' as the imposing 'cinematic' context disappears. still a great film.

[@Erodam]

some people build fences to save money on locations

[@MindGameStudios]

Completely agree - it felt its own limitations as a "stage adaptation" rather than as a cinematic story. Brilliantly performed, sure, but it took about an hour and fifteen minutes before it finally started to get interesting. I have to imagine it's a lot more engaging on stage.

[@BunnyMan456]

The performances feel incredibly remembered, and unfelt.

[@ssssssstssssssss]

The criticism just comes off as personal preference, which is fine, but it shouldn't dominate the review. From what I could tell, the intent of the movie was to retain the feel of a stage play and that should be fine.

[@douglasharris4295]

I felt the same way as Mark unfortunately. Throughout the film, I consistently felt like I'd rather be watching this on stage. And that's odd since most of my favorite movies, Barefoot in the Park, the Odd Couple and Prisoner of Second Avenue, were originally Neil Simon plays. What really hurts the adaptation as a movie I feel is the central fence metaphor and Denzel's insistence on what feels like a string of monologues and stories of events that happened off screen to carry the movie forward.

[@katiemiaana]

I think when a play is adapted well for the screen, you are not asking yourself "was this a play?" and if someone tells you it was, you are surprised, because it seems perfect as a film. They are not the same mediums and require different things as a result.

[@Nathan_F95]

agreed 100%. August: Osage County was like that too. I even thought the same thing with Glengarry Glenn Ross. The only "theatre" movies that have worked for me is 12 Angry Men and Hitchcock's Rope.

[@Lee_Forre]

Those last two movies take place in a single room, that's not stagy?

[@voyance4elle]

And 8 femmes

[@reelopinions]

Haven't agreed so much with Kermode for a while. Didn't dislike this film for any particular reason, but just felt like it didn't really need to be put to film.

[@theolamp5312]

Hi Mark - I agree with you. But, I still really liked the movie. I may be wrong, but I can't help comparing this film with "loving". Both have great acting. But, LOVING is so subtle in the performances by Ruth and Joel. In "Fences", Denzel and Viola sort of chew up the scenery (for lack of a better word). As you said in the LOVING review, the "You can't handle the truth" moments. That being said, if Ruth wins best Actress and Viola wins best supporting actress (although she was really the lead Actress), I will be happy.

[@Hs022]

Denzel Washington isn’t James Earl Jones... Just gonna say that

[@ElCocineroSolitario]

Review Hidden Fences!!!

[@LucienWD]

TheLonesomeChef It's out next week.

[@LucienWD]

neonatalpenguin loved that, classic Bill.

[@mic187x2]

Viola Davis deserved a best actress nod instead of best supporting actress.

[@andyg9835]

I have to say, right off the bat, one of the greatest things about this film is that it reflects the stage play wonderfully. Its style is the making of ‘Fences’ and is so wonderfully adapted to the screen, capturing all the melancholic power of the original. Denzel Washington provides a virtuoso performance and is more than ably backed up by Viola Davis. Washington also does August Wilson proud with his deft touch from the director’s chair. I felt the resonances of Chekov throughout and was enthralled for the full two hours and twenty minutes. I would highly recommend ‘Fences’ to anyone who appreciates a good solid character-driven drama. 4/5

[@ZeppelinBigFan]

I'd watch the play, but it's obviously a hell of a lot easier to watch a movie than it is to go and see a play.

[@haruspex1-50]

I felt that Denzels character was too intense and the film didn't have a moment to breathe. It was all based around his feelings. There was also something very Willy Lowmanish about his flawed character. All in all not bad but could have been better

[@arrow5599]

in my house , when ever i want

[@Lee_Forre]

I must disagree with the good professor with his assessment of this not being cinematic enough as a problem. A LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT & DON'T BE AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLF are other examples of adapted plays that are not flashy in technique but I would argue pack as much of an emotional punch as anything.

[@bazzbazzley]

This had everything that Moonlight so lacked. A brilliant script, wonderful performances and despite its length, superb pacing. Mark is wrong about Moonlight which about as dull as dull gets and he's wrong about Fences which is a masterpiece.

[@65g4]

Moonlight was anything but dull its a masterpiece

[@arrow5599]

if all those actors were in the play id watch the play instead

[@wtffy204]

New direction on a film and it worked. Watch it u want be disappointed bring the tissues.

[@notabot835]

long winded scenes, confined locations. it just does not make for good cinema.

[@notabot835]

starkingbiker well that's the exception that proves the rule

[@notabot835]

I am referring to plays that don't make a smooth transition to the big screen as not making good cinema. Not play-to-screen adaptations in general

[@goodial]

Jobs was also nice :)

[@allthewine]

Chinese Coffee?

[@afonsolucas2219]

I think it worked out fine. A scene in another location showing us what happened instead of telling us what happened might have worked, BUT! It still works.

[@lewiscranston881]

Mark got this so right, really pretentious stuff to adapt a stage play with no flair.