Fences (2016)
85%RT Audience Score: 75%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
59 wins & 121 nominations total
From its reunited Broadway stars to its screenplay, the solidly crafted Fences finds its Pulitzer-winning source material fundamentally unchanged — and still just as powerful
Fences is like a baseball bat hitting you in the face with its heavy-handed symbolism, but in a good way. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis give performances that are nothing short of remarkable, and Jovan Adepo shines in his film debut. It’s a tough stage adaptation that soars thanks to the strength of the acting. Plus, it’s one of the most prescient movies out there, so you won’t want to miss it. Just be prepared to be emotionally moved long after the final scene.
Production Company(ies)
Twentieth Century Fox, Brandywine Productions, Pinewood Studios,
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references
Year of Release
2016
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:2h 13m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2016 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 14, 2017
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, directed by Denzel Washington, written by August Wilson, drama, PG-13, Pulitzer Prize-winning, box office gross $57.6M, reviewed by Anne Thompson, Kristen Lopez, Candice Frederick, Donald Clarke, Wendy Ide, Brian Eggert, James Luxford, Hosea Rupprecht, Matt Brunson, Olly Richards, Leo Brady, family drama, 1950s Pittsburgh, African-American, professional baseball player, college football recruiter, sanitation worker, bitter, missed opportunity, tension, powerful, solidly crafted, unchanged, extraordinary, remarkable, searing, emotional, nuanced, powerful performances, authentic portrayal, subdued work, outstanding performances, fascinating, sympathetic, long-form, unabridged, richly written, Pulitzer Prize-winner, universal truths, meticulously crafted, poetic, spot-on performances, narrative, emotional wallop, powerful moments, limited setting, faithful adaptation, ensemble piece, powerful, extraordinary, fascinating, authentic portrayal, nuanced, subdued work, outstanding performances, powerful moments, limited setting, faithful adaptation, ensemble piece
Worldwide gross: $64,414,761
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $79,391,100
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,134
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 8,657,699
US/Canada gross: $57,682,904
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $71,094,096
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 914
US/Canada opening weekend: $129,462
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $159,562
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,756
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $24,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $29,579,966
Production budget ranking: 1,164
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $15,928,811
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $33,882,323
ROI to date (est.): 74%
ROI ranking: 1,040
Viola Davis – Rose Maxson
Stephen Henderson – Jim Bono
Jovan Adepo – Cory
Russell Hornsby – Lyons
Mykelti Williamson – Gabriel
Director(s)
Denzel Washington
Writer(s)
August Wilson
Producer(s)
Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington, Todd Black
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
59 wins & 121 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (272) | Top Critics (72) | Fresh (250) | Rotten (22)
Davis went big…debuting film actor Jovan Adepo shines…
March 31, 2020
Anne Thompson
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
Fences is one of the most prescient movies out now.
November 20, 2017
Kristen Lopez
Culturess
TOP CRITIC
The performances by each of its six main characters… combined with Washington’s gripping direction (inciting a mix of terror, madness, and pity), FENCES is simply extraordinary. It is not to be missed.
March 22, 2017 | Rating: A+
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
Denzel swells with dangerous charisma. Viola works high emotion from every one of her many lines. They are so good they almost convince us we’re watching a movie.
February 17, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
There is a powerful drama here about the legacy of racism but Washington doesn’t know how to liberate it from the stage.
February 16, 2017
Ryan Gilbey
New Statesman
TOP CRITIC
The symbolism is heavy handed. It’s like being repeatedly clobbered by Troy’s prized baseball bat: Rose takes a phone call that delivers bad news; a lightning flash illuminates the crucifix on her wall.
February 12, 2017 | Rating: 2/5
Wendy Ide
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It’s impossible to watch and not be moved.
April 5, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Washington grandstands, showing every facet of a man consumed by the shadow of his past, but unable to keep himself from repeating history… the strength of the performance delivers a more rounded character than you might expect.
February 21, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
James Luxford
City AM
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis embody their characters exquisitely in the play-turned movie
August 26, 2021
Hosea Rupprecht
Pauline Center for Media Studies
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are nothing short of remarkable.
August 17, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
A tough stage adaptation which soars upon Denzel Washington and Viola Davis’ performances.
April 23, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Olly Richards
NME
Fences is about as good as it gets though, with two of the best acting performances of the year, and a lot of material to chew on long after the final scene.
February 7, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Leo Brady
AMovieGuy.com…
Plot
Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son’s chance to meet a college football recruiter.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises the outstanding performances of Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences, calling them “extraordinary” and “nothing short of remarkable.”
Denzel-Washington.jpg
