On Christmas Day I hosted our family to an afternoon showing of Fences. It was a good choice, at least for those seeking depth of content and superb acting. The casting was perfect, and each performance was compelling. It is a play adapted to the screen, and not a motion picture based on a play. It is theatrical, maintaining a cadence and intensity typical of the stage. It's great material; The sixth of August Wilson's Pittsburgh Series, it won a Pulitzer Prize for drama and several Tony Awards.
I saw Fences when it first opened on Broadway in 1987. James Earl Jones played Troy and Mary Alice was Rose. I still remember it as one of the best plays I 've ever seen.
When Fences had a Broadway revival in 2010, Denzel Washington joined Viola Davis in the lead roles. Tonys flowed again. Both of those actors plus others from the 2010 Broadway run grace the film adaptation. This explains the cohesion and depth for most of the film's characters. Denzel Washington also directed! Mykelti Williamson's portrayal of Gabe was, for me, the finest performance - but they were all truly fabulous.
See it. Bring tissues, plenty of them if you are easily moved by a touching story and great performances!
I saw Fences when it first opened on Broadway in 1987. James Earl Jones played Troy and Mary Alice was Rose. I still remember it as one of the best plays I 've ever seen.
When Fences had a Broadway revival in 2010, Denzel Washington joined Viola Davis in the lead roles. Tonys flowed again. Both of those actors plus others from the 2010 Broadway run grace the film adaptation. This explains the cohesion and depth for most of the film's characters. Denzel Washington also directed! Mykelti Williamson's portrayal of Gabe was, for me, the finest performance - but they were all truly fabulous.
See it. Bring tissues, plenty of them if you are easily moved by a touching story and great performances!
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