Fences

Name: Fences
Genre: Drama
Released: December 16, 2016
Duration: 139 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 235 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 235 Ratings

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Fences

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 16, 2016

Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis

Summary: In this adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play, an African American father struggles with race relations in the United States while trying to raise his family in the 1950s and coming to terms with the events of his life.

Director: Denzel Washington

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 139 min

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Awards & Rankings

69	#69 Best Movie of 2016
81	#81 Most Discussed Movie of 2016

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Empire - Terri White

Feb 6, 2017

A simply extraordinary film without crashes, bangs and wallops but full of towering performances delivered with intelligence, power and heart. Read full review

100

Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

Dec 15, 2016

It’s all too seldom that a feature film combines brilliant acting with a spellbinding flow of language. Read full review

Movie Nation - Roger Moore

Dec 22, 2016

A Great American Play becomes a Great American Film with Fences, Denzel Washington’s letter-faithful adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece. Read full review

Arizona Republic - Bill Goodykoontz

Dec 22, 2016

Fences is a feast of brilliant acting, in a story that’s sometimes as difficult as it is powerful. Read full review

St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Calvin Wilson

Dec 22, 2016

Fences is perhaps best appreciated as a showcase for the brilliant acting of Washington and Davis. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Todd McCarthy

Nov 22, 2016

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis know their parts here backward and forward, and they, along with the rest of the fine cast, bat a thousand, hitting both the humorous and serious notes. But with this comes a sense that all the conflicts, jokes and meanings are being smacked right on the nose in vivid close-ups, with nothing left to suggestion, implication and interpretation. Read full review

The Playlist - Rodrigo Perez

Nov 22, 2016

There’s nothing lost in the translation of Fences, but its high fidelity means there’s little, if any, inspiration to be found within. Read full review

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User Reviews

Ozy

Feb 9, 2017

This movie is about Narcissism. It is a terrible disorder and causes highly dysfunctional families. The movie represents this well - believe me i was raised by a father like this. I have noticed both angry and highly dismissive rants about this film in the user reviews. If my father reviewedThis movie is about Narcissism. It is a terrible disorder and causes highly dysfunctional families. The movie represents this well - believe me i was raised by a father like this. I have noticed both angry and highly dismissive rants about this film in the user reviews. If my father reviewed this movie he would absolutely hate it. Just saying.… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

BetterDays105

Dec 29, 2016

I can't believe I'm saying this: Better than seeing it on Broadway six years ago. Denzel is triumphant as is Viola. One of the best films I've seen this year.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

DestituteCritic

Jan 1, 2017

This movie was wonderful and, I think, well-made, although not for everyone!
It focuses on a troubled man, his family, and the circumstances that cause events in one another's lives. It is a sad movie, but great performances from Denzel and Viola, as well as the secondary cast.
Well written,This movie was wonderful and, I think, well-made, although not for everyone!
It focuses on a troubled man, his family, and the circumstances that cause events in one another's lives. It is a sad movie, but great performances from Denzel and Viola, as well as the secondary cast.
Well written, story wraps up well, excellent acting, slow, but well paced. Not everyone will appreciate the relatively small location of the movie, and there's basically no action; all in all a slow, easy-on-the-eyes, but tugging at the heart movie.

9/10… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

moviewithmeg

Mar 7, 2017

I listen to highbrow music, try to stay well read, and make an effort to see all the Oscar nominated movies. But sometimes Radiohead is too heavy, Faulkner makes no sense, and fantastic performances are a part of slow paced movies. Viola Davis and Denzel were sensational, with DavisI listen to highbrow music, try to stay well read, and make an effort to see all the Oscar nominated movies. But sometimes Radiohead is too heavy, Faulkner makes no sense, and fantastic performances are a part of slow paced movies. Viola Davis and Denzel were sensational, with Davis especially securing her spot as reigning Oscar heavyweight. I read recently that we all underrate Denzel’s performances, because he’s so consistently spot on. I thought these two were going to have an Academy Awards night sweep, especially after the SAG awards this year. But I don’t picture myself re-watching this anytime soon. Performances near perfection, but film, 7.2/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FranzHcritic

Jan 1, 2017

I find the film an actor's feat for nearly everyone, including Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. I liked the atmosphere of being very close knit, like a play, but I also felt it grown tiresome on me, especially with the repetitive monologues. The film was also too long (I can recall aboutI find the film an actor's feat for nearly everyone, including Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. I liked the atmosphere of being very close knit, like a play, but I also felt it grown tiresome on me, especially with the repetitive monologues. The film was also too long (I can recall about four different points where the movie could have ended before it did). Washington just made the film too much like a play, and not enough like a film.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

FadeBlack

Jun 25, 2017

While this is a very strong drama with truly fantastic performances, it is clear why it is much better suited as a play than a film. I do believe there are certain criteria that distinguish film from other art forms, and simply put having 2-3 locations in the entire 2+hour movie does not cutWhile this is a very strong drama with truly fantastic performances, it is clear why it is much better suited as a play than a film. I do believe there are certain criteria that distinguish film from other art forms, and simply put having 2-3 locations in the entire 2+hour movie does not cut it. But other than that, good.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Nazgulero

Mar 4, 2017

I could stand about an hour of this incomprehensible babbling. I have no idea what this movie was about. It was nauseating, they never stopped talking. Who talks like that ? Please, learn the English language before you make a movie.

1 of 13 users found this helpful112

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