Reel Entropy

Images courtesy Paramount Pictures.

Steven James
@StevenLeeJames

Fences is a disturbing movie about a dysfunctional family that, in some ways, probably acts a lot like your family. You cringe while these characters argue and feel thrilled when they resolve their issues.

When Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington, who also directs and produces) was a teenager, he killed a man. While in prison, Troy learned he was talented at baseball, and became a top player in the professional Negro Leagues. He failed to earn a spot in the Major League at the age of 40 — he blames this failure on race, but it’s clear no MLB team would want a 40-year-old rookie regardless of that. Maxson’s need to blame everything on race affects his relationship with his wife, Rose (Viola Davis), and his sons, Lyons (Russell Hornsby) and Cory (Jovan Adepo), especially when he tries to lecture them about responsibility. Rose struggles to keep the family together, and Lyons and Cory fight to form their own identities, but can’t because of Troy’s dominance.

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