MovieChat Forums > Fences (2016) Discussion > One of Denzel's finest performances but ...

One of Denzel's finest performances but the movie as a whole....

posted 8 years ago by reapwhatyousow
15 replies | jump to latest

Well... for me, it had pacing issues. Yeah,I know it was a dialogue-driven character study but it still seemed like some scenes went on for way too long and felt flat as a result. I understand it's been based on a play but it never really provided a cinematic feel, very constricted in a sense.

The performances of Viola and especially Denzel were great but again, the movie didn't really provide a pay off. I think that was kind of the point but I don't know I expected a bit more from it

I just think they could have fit everything in 90-100 minutes and it wouldn't have missed a beat.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] reapwhatyousow 8 years ago

Very mature reply, come back when you gain the ability to reason.

[–] dyonchristopher 8 years ago

*beep* You

[–] rocketyank 8 years ago

Denzel was genius in this. Is Affleck so good in MBTS that he's more deserving?

[–] neverever121 8 years ago

Yes, Affleck absolutely deserves the award more than Denzel.

[–] neutralchessaddict 8 years ago

Yes, Affleck absolutely deserves the award more than Denzel.

After watching both performances I would tell you that no Affleck should not win and will not win the Oscar for Best Actor.

[–] joelyn-48124 8 years ago

Denzel was awesome, and way better than Affleck, Denzel should get the award.

[–] TheEternalCherry 8 years ago

Yes, Affleck absolutely deserves the award more than Denzel.

Agreed.

Here's to the mess we make.

[–] joelyn-48124 8 years ago

Nope, Denzel should. If any one in the Affleck film should get an award is should be Michelle Williams, she was superb, while Affleck was okay.

[–] Prismark10 8 years ago

I agree with the OP that it is a play that has been kept like a play and is dialogue heavy. I also think they could had knocked 15 minutes off the running time.

However the writer who adapted the screenplay from his own play died in 2005. I think Denzel as director stayed true to the writer's intentions.

It's that man again!!

[–] zp212121 8 years ago

Totally agree with your response. Fantastic performances for an overall flat movie. Not a bad movie, but a flat movie that didn't reach its potential. Perhaps that is due to it being more of a play rather than a film.

[–] C-Younkin 8 years ago

I wouldn't say the film didn't provide a payoff at all, I think it provided many small ones throughout as was Wilson's intentions. Through the 2 hours we get a full scope of Troy's life, from boyhood to the way he is now (and why he is the way he is now) and Washington nails every heartbroken, bitter, hateful beat of this character and Davis is just as strong. It's a play, you can't deny that, but it's forceful throughout and I really can't name a scene that isn't completely enthralling or giving you some insight into a particular character.

Trying to create a channel based on interpreting, reviewing, and even giving you something to laugh about film. Hope you enjoy what you see. Thanks in advance.

Review of the film here-https://youtu.be/IAkFp11Hwq4

[–] garko-1 8 years ago

It reminds me of those movies back in the 50s & 60s that were essentially filmed plays, like The Bad Seed or The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs, where there was nothing essentially cinematic about the plays, but they brought theater to the masses through the medium of film.

That said, Moonlight was also originally a play, but was brought to vivid life as a film. The visual style of the movie informed the narrative. Though Fences also has a visual style as far as sets and lighting, the camera was essentially lifeless.

Because Fences is part of a larger cycle of work--a city portrait of urban life in Pittsburgh, it's bound to feel incomplete, or flat, on its own. The pay off or bigger picture comes from the accumulation of portraits.

[–] sunbatt50 8 years ago

This was a terrible movie. It should not have been nominated for a BP award.

The acting is superb, but the movie is dull as dishwater, as so many stage adaptations become.

I feel Denzel the Director failed to make a movie, rather than give Denzel the Actor a showcase for hs talents.

The things that make a great play, such a long, strong dialogue that develops a character, simply becomes over-long droning in a movie, where character development can rely on much more than pure speech.

The movie was too long, and suffered as a result of the long, establishing oratories. Adapting a play is a real art, and I felt this was a very poor adaptation.

[–] sunnydaze_8 8 years ago

@reapwhatyousow,

I agree with you regarding the pacing issues. I felt like Denzel's dialogue was too long but Viola's scenes and dialogue was perfect. Also it was a bit too long for a very slow paced movie. On the other hand I would have loved to see them in the Broadway play.