Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, that was enough to sell me on Fences. Then they released the trailer, and I was even more excited to see the film. Now I've seen it, and it was even better than expected.
Washington and Davis reprise the roles they played, Troy and Rose Maxson, in the 2010 revival of August Wilson's 1983 play. In 1987 the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Tony Award for Best Play, and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. And in the 2010 revival starring Washington and Davis, the play received ten Tony Awards nominations. The play went on to win in the categories for Best Revival of a Play, and not surprisingly, also for Best Actor in a Play (Washington) and Best Actress in a Play (Davis). And I would say the film earned the same, at the very least and certainly for nominations, in the same categories with two caveats: (1) Davis has put her hat in the Supporting Actress category (and after viewing the film, I can better see how Rose's character might fit in the supporting category), (2) add Washington for Best Director.
Washington maneuvered effortlessly between all of the different layers of Troy, peeling back the layers with an amazingly fluid and believable precision. He took the audience from blushing, to laughter, to shock, and back again with ease. Washington shared Troy with us through seamless transitions between storytelling, drunken jokes, singing, expressive gestures, flirting and being affectionate, selfish proclamations and decisions, and at times crossing a thin line between being a strict father and being a bully. But as the film, Troy, and even Rose express, Troy gives his family all that he can give. Unfortunately, there is only so much he can give and only so much he can suppress from his past experiences and pain before hurting the ones he loves.
Then there's Davis! I was brought to tears one time during the film, and Davis brought them out of me. You can guess the scene if you've seen the trailer. But when you get the context behind it (I hadn't seen or read the play prior to seeing the film), and witness the full scene, it is impossible for your heart not to cry out for Rose; the loving and dutiful wife and mother who deserved better than what she got from Troy. Rose's pain exuded from Davis, as did her strength and love.
There was no doubt that Washington and Davis would be exceptional. But the entire cast did an outstanding job! Hence the Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Ensemble Cast. Washington and Davis played off of each other perfectly, whether the interaction was lovingly or not so lovingly. And the same can be said of the rest of the cast: Stephen Henderson as Jim Bono, longtime close friend of the couple; Jovan Adepo as the couple's son Cory who clashes the most with Troy; Russell Hornsby as Lyons, Troy's oldest son; Mykelti Williamson as Gabriel, Troy's brother who has a metal plate in his head; and later in the film Saniyya Sidney as Raynell, Troy's daughter.
The costuming and set transports the audience to the 1950's, along with the story line and script of course. However, maybe somewhat surprisingly, many of the story lines can easily translate to today. Whether it is the idea of racial disparities in the workplace; or even the conflict between millennials and other generations in regard to this notion of a right to pursue one's passion as a career, which also arises as a source of conflict between Troy and his eldest son, Lyons.
Throughout the film one can expect to laugh, have their jaw drop, sit at the edge of their seat, occasional moments of enlightenment perhaps, and maybe even shed a tear or two. If nothing else, you will leave the theater knowing you just witnessed acting (and I might add directing) at its finest!
10/10