Davis went big...debuting film actor Jovan Adepo shines...

| Mar 31, 2020

Fences is one of the most prescient movies out now.

| Nov 20, 2017

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.

| Original Score: A+ | Mar 22, 2017

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.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 17, 2017

There is a powerful drama here about the legacy of racism but Washington doesn't know how to liberate it from the stage.

| Feb 16, 2017

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.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 12, 2017

As it is, we are able to enjoy a theatrical experience, and some really fine acting, with minimal obvious changes made to the original stage production.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 10, 2017

This is a portrait of a doomed marriage that allows its stars to explode.

| Feb 10, 2017

Fences is the most classical piece of drama in the best picture line-up for this year's Oscars, with outstanding performances by Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 9, 2017

Denzel Washington is a class act, and he has given us a classy piece of work.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 9, 2017

Fences is a filmed play that never seems anything else: a yatter of life of death, directed by Denzel Washington from August Wilson's Pulitzer-winning 1983 play.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 9, 2017

Washington is customarily magnetic, but this is Davis' film.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 9, 2017

The great coup Washington delivers, beyond framing his co-star's virtuous anguish so well, is the risky, brilliant, and frequently alienating performance he gives as Troy.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 9, 2017

This feels more like a record of a stage performance than a film in its own right. That, though, doesn't lessen its impact in the slightest or take away from the searing brilliance of the two leads.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 8, 2017

Washington is very good, but it's Davis - hurt, proud, determined - who's the star of this show.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 6, 2017

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

| Original Score: 5/5 | Feb 2, 2017

The stunning acting and August Wilson's timeless words will captivate you again and again.

Full Review | Jan 23, 2017

Washington's direction can't match his acting - 'Fences' is great filmed theater but not exactly great cinema. But there's no questioning Washington's skill as an actor's director, and the ensemble is first-rate, particularly Davis.

| Jan 4, 2017

Washington has pledged to bring all of plays in the cycle to the screen. The good news is he started with a home run.

| Original Score: A- | Dec 29, 2016

The two lead performances are stunningly complex and deeply human achievements from two of the finest actors working today.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 25, 2016