Fences 2016

This is an adaptation to the big screen by director Denzel Washington from the play by August Wilson (also the screenwriter here). The film doesn’t open up to the expanse film offers, but maintains a contained environment of the theater. I offer this not as a criticism but an accolade as the movie maintains that attention the viewer typically has watching performances on a small stage.

Washington also stars as Troy Maxson, a garbage man working in New York in the late 1950’s. He’s a WWII veteran who was too old to make it to major league baseball, as well as a victim of racial discrimination.

Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play takes a passionate look at former baseball player Troy Maxson as he fights to provide for those he loves in a world that threatens to push him down.

Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson
Runtime: 2 hours, 18 minutes