Fences - Official Movie Review 

soooo... maybe that was the point. these people feel trapped in their homes

I'll watch this for Viola Davis she is the best

Holy crap....THEY LIKED ONE!!!! I thought we were going like 0-7 today

I definitely got that "stagy" vibe from the trailer.

This movie was written, directed, and acted perfectly. Totally disagree with most of this review

August Wilson is a genius. May his work continue to be seen in all and every form.

Before watching this, i'm just putting this out there, i hope to hell they liked it. It's such a beautiful story, and the second I saw the trailer I gasped thinking "that's what the play looked like in my head when i read it." It seems so spot on, I hope it's good; and it's a very critic-y kind of story, perfect for film, in fact I wondered why it hadn't been done before. Please. Be. Good.

This was done so well. Obviously, I could tell it was based on a play, without knowing anything about it. The writing, the scenes all in the backyard, etc. But it took me away, perhaps the acting was part of it. But I think the storyline, and the directing both had me drawn and emotionally riveted to this story. I actually tried taking breaks from watching it and I had to cut them short cause I didn't want to break up the energy. I loved it.

I remember having to read it for English class in high school. Looking back, I initially thought it was just another reminder of the racist 20th century my people had to suffer (and yes, I'm one of those people that thinks racism should've been a thing of the past and not still be practiced today). As an adult, I think it's a very intense drama where the more you read it, the more you feel bad for the characters. Maybe I'll give the movie a watch one of these days.

"they all mean nothing" this is why alonsos my nigga

I think I want to see Denzel direct even more because this movie is beautiful, it looks so good, and the cinematography in particular is fantastic! I really liked this movie. The performances are FANTASTIC! This is a movie that will be all over the Oscars.

I think one of the best acted movies recently was Inglourious Basterds...nail me to a cross if you wish, but I was blown away by the acting in that film.

Way late on the draw to comment on this video, but I'd say I'm perfectly fine with this telling and not showing, not only because tje telling is so engaging, but the events they're talking about aren't really what the story is about. What the story is about, what we were actually shown, is the relationships between these people and the thematic ideas that tie these moments together. Great movie. I'm so grateful that I was blessed enough to have a firm but supportive father who actually gave a damn and didn't just try to get away with doing the bare minimum amd acting like he deserved a medal for it like Troy does, but this was so emotionally raw like an exposed nerve that it really hit me in the feels. Lot of sadness, fear, anger and resentment a lot of young men need to overcome with fathers like that. Denzel Washington (and really everyone involved) absolutely killed it. Hard move to watch, but it was great.

the 2 white guys didn't get Fences. rich.

Fences vs Jackie as Best Oscar Bait

It's a drama not a comedy, of course people are gonna be angry and sad but it's not going to be action movie

and once again, these people dont get what a movie outside of there sphere is about

I appreciate what you all have said about the film, but I think you have missed the power and point of August Wilson's writing and spot on depiction of a certain segment of African American life/culture in the 1950s. This is what some of us mean by the "Oscars so White" argument--if you don't have first-hand knowledge of black culture and values, which is an indelible part of American culture, then you certainly won't understanding this film or Wilson.

A rare moment where I actually completely agree with their review. I definitely felt like I was watching a play the entire time. Terrific acting where I felt like I was actors act rather than watching characters in a story. Still worth watching though because it's a solid movie with oscar worthy acting and has you on an emotional roller coaster throughout. Even though it's definitely actors acting you still care and are emotionally connected to these characters and what they're going through. I wouldn't watch it again though.

Funny, "Fences" and "Doubt" are based on plays and both have Viola Davis with a runny nose while crying.

wtf? lol this was the best movie ive seen in years...these guys are crazy...denzel proved he is the best actor of all times...

Great seeing Bibbs on this week.

The woman is hosting a movie critique show and does not know when it's in theaters!!!! August Wilson to early black theater was pivotal in sharing the black experience at that time. there are cultural references these people miss, but thats understandable and obvious.

Did these 2 idiots watch the same film as me? I watched this last night and from the very start found myself trying to catch my own breath, just from trying to keep up with Denzel's dialogue delivery; and not a wasted word! From there these people, all of them, grab you by the shirt-front and pull you along, not in their wake but in the same Roller Coaster carriage in which they sit; still trying to breathe, having, instead, to catch some air where you can. Have you heard the phrase, 'Which side of the fence are you on?'? Well herein lies the context of the film. "Oh, right, I see where he/she is at. - No, I got that wrong! "I can see what is, obviously, going to occur here. - Wrong again! "This is a real, righteous person." - Er? What bastard? I have a top 5 films which are unlikely to alter, because they accommodate either how I see life, or how I wish it would or could have been or be, but every so often along comes a film that reaches its climax and I sit back and say aloud, "Hell! What a movie! One time it was 12 Angry Men, (Henry Fonda). The last time was Atonement, (Keira Knightley)....until last night. Fences, (Denzel Washington)...Hell! What a movie!

You can always expect that in a wtf review you'll get a rant towards a movie that still gets a solid score by all three critics...

5:36 Bibbs got chocked up there referencing his dad. He goes all subdued for the last half and is sniffing. I wonder why?

There are so many dopey comments about race and their (Alonso and Bibbs’) review below. See John Houston’s ‘The Night of the Iguana’, based on a Tennessee Williams play. It wholly bursts through the physical confines of the play. Also, Viola Davis’ breakout performance in ‘Doubt’. There’s a certain task to directing a well written adaptation of a play, that reasserts the space of a film. They absolutely must crack the : *claustrophobia*

This film was so good. Where do i start? Extremely amazing performances by the great leads of Viola Davis and Denzel Washington. The story is something most audience viewers will feel emotionally inclined to understand and identify well with. The moral theme of the story is how to persevere and endure with the character of hope. Based on the story alone I just enjoy the dialogue and discourse he shares with his son and wife and what this character is wrestling with internally. It reflects the reality of our times, how they're really absolutely zero guarantees and we have to make by with what we have, despite our scars, imperfections, and past-demons. You can really sense the level of energy and emotion the actors gives into these performances - but more importantly i just like how raw, gritty, and realistic it is in terms of relationships and hope. Good film. The amount of symbolism of feeling trapped and aimless and not being able to fix and get anywhere in life as a result of unfavorable circumstances... I mean these two guys reviewing the video have no insight or intuition for the framework of how society and people work in result of being minorities or feeling like the system is rigged or stacked against them - so perhaps they're just dull in due of ignorance and their upbringing - but wow really underrated film, and i like it how it deals with mortality, family, and finding reconciliation in ways that don't appear conventionally sought out. Made me tear up in the end. But so glad it was made into a film and it was filled with emotion.

As someone who loves plays, I loved this movie. I don't care about the cinematography, because I loved the story.

Glengarry, Glen Ross has to be the best stagy, dialogue heavy, play adaption I've ever seen. Denzel does his thing though, worth a watch.

Yes the ending definitely stuck for me. Excellent. Viola is my pick for best actress this year. She always makes herself GO THERE.

It depends on how much you’re paying attention to the storyline and the reason for the intricate details - there’s a great message about real life and real life situations. But; if you are while watching it then it will be harder to appreciate.

Love August Wilson. Shutout to The Piano Lesson

Completely agree with Alonso's points. Only thing I disagree with is Christy's evaluation of the ending. I didn't feel any of that "sneaking emotion" in the final scene. The brother and sister have a nice moment, but it's sandwiched between an overdone monologue from Davis and an unintentionally cheesy sendoff that felt tonally inconsistent. I was confused about what the film was saying in regards to Washington's character. I disagreed with his viewpoints for the entire film and never grew any sympathy for him. The ending was sending mixed messages, despite the fact the rest of the film flat-out told us it's easy metaphors.

dont get why hollyweird people hate on theater so much. plays are GREAT! and this is a great play/film!

Rustin Cohle well, think of all of Denzels roles, which probably speak to who he is in general and/or as a director. His roles are always the straight man roles. The man who doesnt beat around the bush. The tell it how it is guy. No metamorphoses, no rading between the lines. You get it how it is. Because in the end of the day, no matter how you tell it, that very thing you are trying to show, is that thing. Ones appreciation for Visual language is obviously subjective. Im assuming you are a film maker? or studied film. Yes camera angles and movements can add to an actors emotions, but if a good actor can convey that very emotion perfectly clear to his audience, does one really need to embellish the point? yes and no. Thats up to the film maker. yes, Denzel is very simplistic with his style behind the camera, but if you think about his acting, Denzel is always kind of Denzel. Denzel never really has had a role where he really transformed into a character. Alonso Harris is a very thugged out Denzel. But Denzel is very good in being Denzel and very good with the intensity that he brings. Fellini was crazy with his interior shots and mirrors, Tarkovsky with his last shot in The Mirror, Scorsese's over head shot of all the dead bodies in Taxi Driver etc. I havent seen the movie, I want to, because the acting looks great. Bergman always put me to sleep, but where he lacked in creative camera angles and movements he made up in Deep philosophical and psychological narratives. David fincher is really good with tight spaces. In fight Club he tells you the twist with one camera movent where Tyler and the Narrator first talk on the plane. Its amaizing when I analyzed that shot much later in my repeat viewings. As a director the option not to show things outside the house could be a matter of laziness or a restriction in budget. As the critics point out, this is a play. anyways we can do this forever lol. either you like it or you dont. either it bothers you or it doesnt.

I'll give it one out of five stars it was way too slow the budget on the film was way too small and most of the money went to Denzel because I guess he needed it

where a review on Hunt for the Wilderpeople ((((((((((((((

Where do they get these people to put on their panel of critics? The author of Fences is August Wilson. First of all, he was polish. He wrote about a culture of people that happened to be American blacks and due to his brilliance wrote about a America black family and, at the same time, tell a story about what all cultures are going through. These guys, on this panel, have no clue! I wish I could have see the play; however, I did not. I did; however, see the movie. Due to it's cast of actors, the story came across to me. This is not a black movie... it is a cultural movie. Do not allow this panel of critics to decide whether to go or not go to see this movie. Just go see it and judge for yourself. Personally, I enjoy this movie and think that this is the best movie that I have seen in decades! Quite honestly, they need to invite me as a critic... they might be able to be enlighten and see the light.

beautiful movie

christy got the movie - these guys look and sound if they were looking for a reason to complain

I enjoyed this movie.

As a long-time arts reviewer and full-time white person, I am embarrassed by your easy dismissal of Troy Maxson as "small." If you saw "On the Waterfront," did you think Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando's character) was just "shooting shit" when he famously lamented "I could have been a champ"? Maxson is largely based on Josh Gibson, "the Black Babe Ruth," who certainly would have been a champ if it weren't for institutionalized racism. Considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, he died young (age 38), so we don't really know how he would he have handled middle age and grown children. August Wilson took part of Gibson's story and re-imagined the rest. Among many things, "Fences" is a story of stymied greatness.

OMG! I spy with my little eye....A BEAST!!!

The fence he built was made of hardwood, Good choice, treated pine is a softwood and bad for the environment.

0:45

Here's what happens: Denzel talks, has a fight with his son. Then denzel talks has a fight with his son. After that denzel talks and has a fight with his son

i can relate but it gave me no answers

so what bad thing has Denzel Washington done? That point is lost on me. He seems like a private man who happens to act.

this is my problem sometimes when you have black struggles through the yes a white people tend to get lost. this isn't an attack is just a fact of lost in translation. the claustrophobic element reflects that of the environment, their dreams, whether its troy's, roses or his son. it's not about the fence. everything is symbolic and metaphor for the message of the reality of their lives and dreams then. The dialogue and the acting does everything to drive it home.

it might be a PLAY!!! but it's a damm good play and an even better movie. these two are total rude and think they are real ass's

Loved this film. I always hate trailers but this trailer is particularly awful.

Yawn to this review...

3 cynical middle aged individuals should never share entertainment opinions about anything

Best episode of the affair just happened and you guys aren't reviewing. U guys are getting whacker and whacker....

Terrible review

Terrible review great movie

This movie gave me a headache, the scrip as well as is written, is so over written, dramatic, and in your face, Denzel is the most poetic garbage man I've ever seen, talks better than an English teacher, makes great metaphores all the time, despite the fact that he never went to school, and this movie doesn't stop one minute, is acting, and acting, and acting, in your face all the time, it feels so staged, it is not a movie, but a recorded play. The acting is freaking great, but it doesn't make worth 2 hours and 19 minutes of movie.

Fences was a terrible movie. The main character, Troy, was very self centered and an alcoholic who talks too much. For the first 20 minutes of the movie, Troy did 90% of the talking, he complained and he was bitter. He was very unlikable.

this is a movie i'm DEFINITELY not watching