"Fences" Review - A Great Evening at the Movie Theatre

Denzel Washington did a hell of a job directing this movie, because “Fences” is so wonderful. Anybody can see that this August Wilson play meant a lot to him, and you could see it in his breathtaking acting.

But for the well done direction, there is one big problem with it. It is literally exactly like the play. Every word and action of dialogue that came from the 1983 play was mostly not changed and there was not too much music to accompany the words. I know I’ve never seen the play before, but even so, you literally feel like your watching the play, just in Pittsburgh instead of New York. Now, I believe if any other play were copied at this much length from the stage to the screen, it would tank. But this film stays afloat and stays interesting and captivating because of the brilliant and downright terrific writing by August Wilson. Plus, every actor from the broadway show is in the movie. Now, the casting is not important, since every actor and actress, especially Denzel and Viola Davis, murders their respective role. But this goes to expand my point. There are reasons why adaptions of musicals and plays for the big screen have some changes in the script. In movies, many of us tend to notice mistakes in the script, and scenes that really shouldn’t belong. Movie audiences and theatre audiences are very different. I would know because I am part of both. Theatre audiences don’t care if someone walks off screen to get a wrench and two other characters have a 5 minute conversation. Movie audiences do. At some point or another, they’re going to ask, “How long does it take to get a silly wrench?”

My point is there were plenty of scenes that could’ve either been cut down, or changed to adhere to a movie audience. It would’ve been more worth my money ifs they just streamed the live play from 2010 through Fathom events.

This is the only criticism I have of the film, but I believe it’s a wise one. It’s still a must see movie! The 1950s Pittsburgh settings are created so beautifully, the acting is terrific, the story deals with many dellicate issues like conservative values, racism, and following your dreams, and the writing…oh goodness the script is a pure masterpiece. I’m giving it a rare half a Nebs up, just because you might have to dress nicely while going to the theatre.

1.5 Nebs Up!