12/24/2016 - Fences (2016) 7+/10

A powerful and intense stage play astutely translated to the screen. The words are expertly crafted and the actors breathing life into them were powerhouses. Its best moments and most intense of scenes are show stopping soul-jarrers, on par or possibly surpassing any others of the year. The rest of the film may only reach quite good, but this cinematic gut-punch still deserves to be seen.

It did feel a little too "playish", not doing much beyond the bounds of the stage or providing something special & uniquely cinematic. I have always felt that a movie based off of a play needs to furnish elements specifically exclusive to films. Fences biggest gulf in quality is its lackings as a film in particular and its deference toward the source material. I do not know the play, but from my limited perspective, I did not recognize what I felt to be distinctly cinematic in its approach or end product.

Though it is often a slight “theatrical”, the dialogue and performances are brilliant. Washington owns the screen, breathing voracious potency and gripping presence into each line and film cell. He is brutish, witty, funny, and terrifying. A hell of a performance. He is the dominant and driving force of the drama, but Viola Davis slices in with equal impassioned precision. She is astounding and heart-wrenching, slinging authentic bravura emotion with her eyes, expression, and eloquence. Amazingly strong acting from the two of them. The rest of the cast are not slouches either, but cannot hold a candle to the star pair.

Fences is a terrific piece of acting spurred on by soul smashing script & story. Fierce and masterful, though only excelling so far. A fine piece of cinema and acting.