Fenced in for 29 years, August Wilson is finally screened

FENCES

29 Years.  That is how long it took from starting development to release on screen for August Wilson’s play Fences. The project itself was fenced in by Hollywood’s racism which would not allow for a Black director.  See James Greenberg’s  New York Times article at http://nyti.ms/2hzSpWw.

Mr. Wilson adapted his play primarily on his own, developing several screenplay versions but did not finish before he died.  When the project was ready to progress, Tony Kushner a white playwright and screenwriter as bought in to finish it off.  Director Denzel Washington and other members of the cast familiar with the play insist tha not more than 100 words were changed or added.  It is not clear whether it was Kushner or Washington who decided how to enlarge the scenes.  The play, like many of Wilson’s works, takes place entirely on the family’s front steps.  The film takes place in the back yard with a couple of street scenes and a few shots inside the house added to provide cinematic feel.

The acting by the entire ensemble is fantastic.  Denzel Washington as the lead character, Troy Maxson, brings the character to life in a strong, enigmatic performance.  Troy talks so much you feel like you know all about him but you soon realize how much you do not know.  It is Viola Davis, however, as Troy’s wife Rose, that absolutely walks away with the acting honors.  If she is not Oscar bound then we will know they haven’t fixed their problems.

The camerawork is equally superb.  The D.P. Charlotte Bruus Christensen finds just the perfect balance in the use of wide shots which tend to engulf the characters and intense super close-ups where the viewer feels “fenced” in with the character. The camera is rarely static and the movement contributes to the suspenseful tones.  It helps broaden the set.  Most importantly although the camera moves around the set, which we would not be able to do if we were watching the play, the movement does not distract from the dialogue.  Like all of Wilson’s plays the dialogue reigns supreme.  If we just heard the words without seeing a soul little, if anything.would be lost from this top notch project.

There is not a lot of music but more than you think.  A strong emotional sound, it is so well intertwined.  Editing, like the rest of this production, was excellent.

Denzel Washington directed and starred and as is often the case of dual filmmaking, I feel both suffered a little .  That said, he does provide the audience  with a legitimate rendition of Wilson’s work and tone.

Because I have assigned this film for my Winter group, I will not comment on the themes and symbolism at this time.