Fences - Analyzing Staging in Act 1, Scene 3 - "How come you ain't never liked me?" 

That voice makes any grown man quiver a little bit.

a mi tambien

When he said straighten up. I straightened up!

😂😂😂yep

Mustafa

True

Brown Lady it should be that way, reminds me of good times. the other was good but made me uncomfortable.

***** But Denzel totally makes up for it in the movie, its not as humurous but still not as uncomfortably angry as this dude. So its still a win for him.

Chris Jericho the movie is really really good. Denzel did a fantastic job

James Earl Jone gave an authentic 1950's response (just like my daddy would). Denzil gave a 2000's response. (don't be too hard on the boy). See how Denzil is smiling. This was not a loving smiling moment in the 1950's. JEJ was teaching his son how to be a MAN in an era where they were still lynching people. "Make sure that they are doing RIGHT by you". That is acting.

I feel that.

I said yes sir when he asked those questions because it felt like my old man

​@@CapcoorMe too

James Earl Jones is James "Fucking" Earl Jones!

Yes. I almost teared up like his son. Masterfully done.

Fences

He won the Tony award for this role.

That's the whole thing. The delivery was so vast, James earl jones was more teaching his son about worrying if hes being accepted while Denzel seemed more just venting and demoralizing

Archangel the Stylish I totally laughed out loud at this... That just rewrote the entire star wars universe for me.

Most underrated comment

This is funny cuz it has two meanings

and James earl Jones is death Vader

You know I imagine an AU of Episode 4 where the roles of obi wan and Darth Vader are reversed I imagine this is how Anakin would treat Luke in episode 4. And it makes sense after all Anakin has been through

No denzel acting. The 00s audience dont take nun serious smh. Cuz that audience is idiots

lmaO

😂😂😂😂😂😂

😂😂😂😂😂

My son WORKS?!!

And what worse. You put Nala in danger.

Yes both actors are tremendous. Both actors in the Denzel play are embarrassing

Triggering Trina He did. 3/15/2020

I wasn't even the one being yelled at and I was ready to start begging for forgiveness

@@EverSide19 😂😂😂😂😂💯

Yes, scared is right. Such believable acting.

I think Uncle Phil would have played that role if he had the chance.

i have a feeling the audiences reaction to denzel might have been more of a generational thing.

You wouldn't be wrong. Audiences are much more vocal, somewhat less serious, more seemingly entitled, and a bit less respectful nowadays than they used to be, especially in theater (but also in film and concert, etc.). And I say this as a young person.

I feel that it was also part of the directing. because Denzel Washington is also a fantastic actor. Because the way they delivered it was completely different makes me think the directors had completely different visions for the show.

+TheEschwank02 I think it was Denzel's speaking style that made audiences laugh

Robb Wilson If you listen carefully when the son said, "Because you like me?". The audience laughed in a low tone. Same low tone can be heard at the father's statement about him and his wife working it out between them.

Or mufasa lol

Yea. It turned into a sitcom when Denzel came up. No disrespect to Denzel, but his take is so different.

I was laughing at both. Even the one dude with Denzel.

I guess their performance reflect the time when it was done and not the time in which the scene is based. Personally, I like Mr. Jones performance better...seems more authentic. He wasn't playing to the audience.

Facts Danny DeLloyd did well too

I didn’t like Denzel’s delivery of that line. It was a very important line of respect.

I love JEJ's way more because it let's us know right away that discipline is really important to him. Whereas Denzel's portrayal says it offhandedly and while looking at the ground. It's the worst part of the Denzel version for me, totally misses the mark on that line whereas for JEJ it's a moment of reveal

Denzel did it differently for the movie

Beautiful analysis ❤

The force is strong with him.

try luke skywalker

PJ Maher LOL

LoOOOLLLLZZ. Day Made.

Luke: Dad? How come you never liked me? Vader: Dad? Nigga, as long as you live on my planet of lava Mustafar, you put a "Lord Vader" at the end of every sentence. Luke: Yes, Lord Vader.

thegorn68 You forgot the Darth Vader breathing

I think Denzel didn’t want to go up with JEJ stern angry father so he made sure to mix it up so he doesn’t have to deal with comparisons.

I know. It isn't even funny

How does it ruin anything?

Casey J it ruins everything because it injects a tone to the scene that was unintended and displaces the viewer from the performance. A father is/was imparting wisdom to his son in what was supposed to be a painful, powerful and almost sorrowful way, there is almost a sense of fear from the father that his son might be, or end up to weak to handle life's hardships as the father understands it. JEJ's performance will likely be viewed as better (i agree) but denzel's performance is lessened because there is a sense given by the audience's reaction that (it was light hearted in nature) while the silence for JEJ's performance adds to the gravity of his performance.

The audience reaction in no way disrupts the moment. It's not as if they're unengaged and being a distraction; they are participating directly by reacting naturally to the content of the play. That is the beauty of live theater. It is the actor's job to play the moment truthfully and the audiences job to listen. That is all.

Thank You Budgie as a viewer and as a human being, we are naturally susceptible to influence. Knowing that this scene is a serious scene, we are still influenced (whether you admit it or not) by the audience's reaction. The laughter absolutely changed the tone of the scene. It's not as though "it's our duty to listen and we will do just that." We're impressionable, and some wanted to see the scene as serous as it was intended. To this, I say watch the film. It re-captures the gravity of the situation.

Mine, too. He is my celebrity twin. At let as that's what everyone at my work says. Almost similar voices. LOL

greeneyedsoul71 aww nice:)

Janice Riley-Sabanne I don't see a resemblance. I hope it's the Claudine version because we're about the same age. LOL

greeneyedsoul71 I looked, i see a slight resemblance, yes when he was younger

+Janice Riley-Sabanne (WhatDidYouCookToday) You, too, huh? I don't see it. However, if there was a movie based on his life, I'm trying out for the part because everyone says I look like him and have a deep voice like him.

Correct!

I don't think Denzel even integrated any comedy in his performance. I didn't find anything funny at all. It felt comedic to the audience maybe because of Denzel's fast "talkative" tone compared to James' deep intimidating tone. And also i think it's because of the other actor. In James version, the boy looks intimidated and scared, while in Denzel's version the boy looks rather annoyed, he looks like he's getting nagged about school.

akulahirpada1993 Denzel's whole body language is also less intimidating and if you watch a lot of the other scenes Denzel plays off of the crowd. Sometimes boucing up and down, repeating lines until they get some kind of reaction and generally improvising. Don't get me wrong, it's a clear sign of a great actor and I'll even go as far as to say I would prefer to watch the play, due to his outstanding charisma that shines through. But to say that Denzel does not intergrate comedy into his performance.......is simply not true

John Lovethatmagic I'm not saying about the whole broadway performance since I didn't watch it I'm just talking about this particular scene. Yes it's true that he often integrates comedy into his performance like in most movies but I just don't find anything comedic about this particular performance.

I agree with +akulahirpada1993 I feel like the crowd already know the play and just enjoyed Denzels re-enactment of it. But as far as trying to bring comedy into it I dont think thats what he was intending. Denzels act is also intimidating in its own way

John Lovethatmagic I don't think comedy was part of it. It's two different audiences. Folks in the 80's were familiar with Wilsons Pittsburgh Cycle and what it meant, whereas today, Wilsons been forgotten until Denzel put himself out there with the film. Seeing Denzel on stage, given that many of his characters are personable will immediately put the audience at ease, especially if he warmed the crowd up. I almost detected he was trying to burn through the laughter, but he didn't have the command Jones has. Denzel did a fantastic job on the film though!

Wow.

and it turn out better

Ghost .z nah

Yes! Exactly! :D

Great explanation! I liked Denzel’s performance, but JEJ blew me away! It spoke to the strained relationship between the father and son that was evident throughout the play. I just believed JEJ more. Just my opinion...

@@Faithful1ne07 JEJ is more consistent with the character, tone and subject matter of the play. I do feel Denzel's was ruined by the crowd who likely are there to see Denzel on Stage rather than Denzel's rendition of this play, i also feel the actor that played the son made the questioning in a more comical tone, while Courtney B Vance asked more in inquisitive and fearful tone. Courtney B Vance in Essence played the role of the son far better because he acted in a way that a child would who lives with a father like JEJ, he asked the question and retreated immediately. Where as his counterpart asked the question like he was just comming home tipsy from a bar. Maybe that was the intention though, because when it came to Denzel in the film... he was far more JEJ than he was in this play (hell maybe he reviewed his own performance and decided to make it stiffer like JEJs, who knows).

Yes!

these were two different deliveries... well, 4, actually... Denzel's son felt more like an annoyed teenager giving his dad sass, while his dad (Denzel) was a bit more sarcastic and annoyed JEL's delivery felt like a hardened man who's temperament has been accustomed by years of horrible treatement by forces outside his control, and JEL's son was a timid younger kid who's trying to deal with feelings of inadequacy

Good eye

What's interesting about the trailer compared to James Earl Jones' performance is that they are still vastly different from each other! James Earl really paints his performance as something that needs to be done so that he can pass a valuable lesson to his son. It's something that he needs to do as an authoritative, household figure. It's a necessity for him. In the Denzel Washington performance (a la the trailer), we see an intimate exchange that is quieter, personal, but ultimately done with the intent NOT to instruct but to instead abuse. He really drives home the anger he feels for his son in that performance, and to me it still doesn't perform better than James Earl's performance. Granted, he was the first Troy to ever perform, so his performance is undoubtedly the "definitive" Troy experience.

No denzel acting. The 00s audience dont take nun serious smh. Cuz that audience is idiots

Underappreciated comment, right here.

Fences and Death of a Salesman come from different perspectives, but share many similar themes. It is very common to compare the two plays.

and an Emmy just recently! So talented

Grandad, that's how my father raised us.

Aura

pete saws I feel like James Earl Jones as a dominating, commanding, very authoritative presence. I was scared. Denzel Seems more approachable. The way he speaks he more smooth, easy.... That's my POV.

pete saws Well, James was the voice of Darth Vader and he is playing just as powerful a person here. In the script, Troy is supposed to shove Cory because Cory leans over him when he comes over to Troy.

Agreed. You felt James Earl Jones' delivery in your soul. I wonder if it would've felt the same in reverse order.

+pete saws in James' performance he had different levels. If you notice Corey played by Courtney B Vance starts to decrease or cower but when James grabs him by the shoulders it was to lift him up. A non verbal to say be a man. Also remember the audience in 87 was more of a traditional theatre audience whereas today's audiences are more incline to engage with moments than content. Just a thought.

And the 1987 clip was at the Tony Awards, so the audience was even more considerate than usual for the time too.

Or Mufasa with Simba.

Irked my nerve.

Delivery and tone of voice are important. James spoke slowly, with an edge to his voice. Denzel spoke like The Rock delivering a WWF opening promo

@@jdavis6053 it was played like a comedy.

Its like im scared..but i know he's saying something wise and forever relevant...

Yes!

I also believe that was the intention. However, Denzel's movie actually portrays the same energy as the JEJ scene.

TempeSoldier123 yeah when I looked at him I couldn't remember who he was😣

unfortunately, one is more dramatic and the other is more comedic. That is not to say that was the intention, per say, but it gives credence to the time in which we live.

@@hnic623 I suppose you’re right. But that being said, I still feel chills when I listen to James talk. He’s just got an aura about him

@@kgunitkeese17 I was leaning toward James

@@hnic623 Oh, my apologies

Noseefood it isn't. stupid audience.

EH Miguel The audience isnt stupid. Denzel's delivery is filled with charisma. It connects to the audience differently. Think before you comment.

+Justin Baggett James Earl frightened the audience...he partially traumatised me watching from my phone...im sure some abused kid got flashbacks watching the scene..it had more to do with command is why nobody laughed...that voice is powerful

LMAO

@Nosefood well, Denzel made it one. He's is THAT good

He got it handed to him about an hour later.

I don't know. James is perfect. Denzel, seems like he's just saying his lines. Didn't give any time to breathe. A more natural way was James earl jones. He gave pause, felt like this epic speech was given and he was thinking of it as he was going through it. Denzel is just way to fast. And yes, people are saying Denzel heard the crowd laughing and it kind of does seems like he decided to go with it. That last part did make it seem like he decided to continue with the angry sitcom dad vibe. He's got too much Denzel in his roles I feel, like he's about to man on fire somebody.

who cares?

you do otherwise why did you respond?

anthony clarke yes lol

Had to because of my class :P

yes

I don't see either performances as comedy; that was serious dialog. The maturity level of the audience, or the ability to handle serious material, seems somewhat diminished with the later audience. A commentary on where we are going as a people?

Yeah, that audience fucking ruined the moment.

I think it's the pacing of the scene. The first scene was about 3 minutes long. The second, about 2. The faster pace gave it a more lively, jovial atmosphere. That, and Denzel had this goofy look and stance. James' stance was much more intimidating.

I agree. In the first scene the son's voice is shaking. He is intimidated and afraid of JEJ. In the Denzel scene the son responds quickly to each question. Almost like an Abbot and Costello bit.

That pacing of call and response may be the most significant factor.

Man was a hoss. Cats from his days were just different.

they don't make fathers like that anymore

I think Denzel's modern demeanor kind of took away from the scene. There's a power to JEJ's posture, stillness, and distance he keeps with that Cory. The Cory in that scene was afraid of him, but he also wanted his love. It's also worth noting that JEJ doesn't make physical contact with Cory until he drives home the lesson he is trying to prove to his son. Denzel steps into the scene a bit looser, and he closes in on his son rather than maintain that distance. He pats Cory on the back, breaks eye contact, slouches, gestures a LOT more both with his head and hands, and he laughs. He instantly takes his own power away from the interaction with his son, and the Cory in this scene acknowledges that. "Cause you like me!," is a certain and sure response he gives when his father asks him why he does what he does. There's no fear in that statement, and Denzel, rather than taking that seriously, makes a joke of it. It proves that the scene is not just for Troy to instruct but for Cory to really strive for a connection with his father; if you don't see both needs by the actors in the scene then there is no point for us to ultimately invest worry or concern when Troy unleashes his powerful speech on his son.

By 2010 you're dealing with Black theater audiences used to gospel plays and Tyler Perry. They've been trained to think black theater is always supposed to be funny.

I don't believe the audience understood that that this was a SERIOUS matter and/or conversation of this part of the play with respect to Denzel's version. I would be curious to know the ages of the audience that saw Denzel's version.

Jones took the character as a broken father, ashamed of his son. Denzel took the character as a common-sense father, trying to teach his son. The audience is laughing because the way Denzel performs is in a style that exhibits a different type of communication: the teacher. He took the scene as a way of two people communicating with each other; most character interaction actually should follow this concept in professional theatre. Jones's performance was all about character-- the man within-- he wasn't communicating with his son, he was voicing his shame for his son. His son could've not even been in the scene and Jones's performance would've still made sense, talking to himself. That's why it was more powerful.

I feel like it was also the pace (one was 3 min while the other was 2 min). Jones scene was slower and he gave off the tone of the scene when he threw down the wood with anger along with sounding more authoritative. Denzel was more fast paced like a comedy and Denzel himself was playing it up. Even Cory ran off stage fast, instead of walking away made it more comedic so, it can't be helped. I prefer Jones scene.