FENCES


US, 2016 139 minutes, Colour.
Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney.
Directed by Denzel Washington.


African- American playwright, August Wilson, who died in 2005, was an award-winning author who captured the life of African- Americans at the various stages of the 20th century. He adapted some of his plays for the screen – but did not live to see this version of his play, Fences, which won Tony awards on Broadway including for its stars, Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.

Wilson wanted an African- American to direct the screenplay and now Denzel Washington has brought the play to the screen, repeating his role and receiving an Oscar-nomination as well as winning Golden Globe, and Viola Davis receiving most of the major awards for Best Supporting Actress.

The setting is Pittsburgh in the mid-1950s. Denzel Washington plays Troy, working with his friend Bono (Stephen Henderson) on a garbage truck and its rounds – and one of his ambitions being to drive the truck. He lives at home with his wife, Rose, married for 18 years – with a son from a previous marriage and a teenager son of this marriage.

While the screenplay has opened the stage drama out somewhat, although most of the action takes place in the yard of the house, and its interiors, where Troy builds a fence (symbolically keeping people in as well as keeping people out). There are a few scenes outside the house, collecting the garbage, visiting an office… Which means that the film relies very much on dialogue, spoken words and gestures, some silences, a focus on reactions. And, at two hours 20 minutes running time, this can be somewhat demanding.

Denzel Washington is very good as Troy though, as many have remarked after seeing the film, if only he had shut up various times! Viola Davis, on the other hand, initially is a person of reactions and smiles, her powerful dramatic scenes coming later in the film.

Troy is a complex man, born in 1904, a difficult upbringing, especially from his severe father, leaving home young, involved in theft, time in prison (where he met Bono), a son who visits and is something of a musician. In many ways, Rose has been his redemption, especially when his potential baseball career, at which he excelled, does not come to the fulfilment he expected, whether because of age, because of race issues, or both. This has hard repercussions on his son, Corey, who wants to be a footballer but his father treats him very severely, not wanting him to give himself to sport, but to having a good job – which leads to some powerful scenes between father and son.

Also in the mix is Troy’s brother, Gabe (Mykelti Williamson) who suffered injuries during the war and lives in his own world, sometimes in an institution, often visiting family, genial and friendly.

The final act is rather quieter, the family gathering for Troy’s funeral.

This all means that the film immerses its audience, especially the African- American audience, in the hardships of life, a great deal of servitude, African-Americans? on the margin of American cities, but the changes which were beginning at this time leading to the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Despite Denzel Washington’s incessant talking, this is a film of great value, of insights and empathy, a testimony to the hardships experienced as well as the breaking through to greater freedom.

1. Acclaim? Awards?

2. August Wilson and his work for the theatre? Adaptations for the screen?

3. African- American themes? For cinema? The appeal for audiences? American? World audiences?

4. Pittsburgh in the mid-1950s, the house and the interiors, front yard, the building of the fence? Garbage collection, the streets, offices? The musical score?

5. The title, the nature of a fence, keeping in, keeping out?

6. The emphasis in dialogue, a filmed play, opened out? The importance of one, reactions, silence?

7. Denzel Washington as Troy? His story, his life in the 1950s, home and family, garbage collecting, his friendship with Bono, on the back of the truck, the work, talking? Wanting to drive? The later interview, the promotion? At home, drinking, interacting with the family?

8. Troy’s past, born in 1904, his father, memories of his father and his harshness, wanting to get out, the streets, stealing, his years in prison, getting to know Bono? The years, meeting with Rose, his son Lyons, marrying Rose, her understanding? The birth of Corey? His relationship with Gabriel, support, Gabriel and his injury in the war? Institution, pension? Troy and his skill at baseball, the potential career, his success, memories of success? Too old? The lack of opportunity? Unfulfilled? His relationship with Lyons, Lyons and his music? Corey wanting to play football, Troy forbidding it, wanting his son to work? Bono and hints about Alberta and his comments?

9. The portrait of Rose, initially reacting to Troy, love for him, smiling, preparing meals, listening? Corey? Her love for Lyons and his girlfriend? Bono and his wife? Gabriel, his turning up, sandwiches, her care for him? Her memories of Troy and his sport, his job – and his drinking?

10. The character of Lyons, his age, relationship with his father, with Rose, his girlfriend, music in the clubs, the cashing choose, going to prison, the bond with his father?

11. Corey, age, relationship with his father, intimidated by him, love for his mother and her care? His anger, wanting to play football, his job, needing to practise after school, his motivations? Confrontation with his father, his father physically attacking him? Wanting to be in his father’s shoes all not? Looking at the advertisement for the Marines? His decision to enlist, returning after six years, not wanting to attend his father’s funeral?

12. Bono, a good man, the past in prison, conversations, his wife? The warnings to Troy about Alberta? Troy and his driving the truck, the growing distance from Bono?

13. Alberta, Troy and his relationship, his confession to Rose, his wanting sympathy, wanting space for himself, Rose and her response, love, yet wanting to have some space for her own, sacrificing herself? Alberta’s pregnancy, Rose having to cope? And Troy’s visits to Alberta? The phone call in the night, the news of Alberta’s death, the birth of the daughter?

14. Rose, asserting herself, a powerful personality, her life, the nature of her commitment, taken aback with the news of the death and the birth of the child, living with Troy? Troy and his reasons? His asking Rose to accept the daughter?

15. The time lapse, the epilogue, the gathering for the funeral, Gabriel and his trumpet, and his hopeful comments, looking to the heavens? Lyons and Corey? Raynell, her age, place in the household, calling Rose mother, six years, getting dressed, making friends with Corey? The fact that had dropped dead? Corey not wanting to go to the funeral? Rose confronting him about it, her eulogy about her husband and his life?

16. The perspective on the history of African- Americans in the 20th century? The past, transitions during the century, greater freedoms and autonomy, yet…? Troy spanning the past and the present, a new era in the 1950s, prior to the Civil Rights movement – as seen in retrospect?