Fences

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2:26

Fences

PG-13

2016

2h 13m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

271 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in the 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's chance to meet a college football recruiter.

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Critics Consensus

From its reunited Broadway stars to its screenplay, the solidly crafted Fences finds its Pulitzer-winning source material fundamentally unchanged -- and still just as powerful.

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Anne Thompson

IndieWire

03/31/2020

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

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Kristen Lopez

Culturess

11/20/2017

Fences is one of the most prescient movies out now.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

03/22/2017

A+

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.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

10/13/2024

5/5

“Fences,” directed by Denzel Washington, is one of the finest and most seamless examples of the power of performance being translated from the stage to the screen.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/20/2022

4.5/5

“Fences” is lively and vibrant yet aching and tragic. The cast’s rapport carries over beautifully from stage to screen, and their handling of August Wilson’s characters comes from an understanding far deeper that simple familiarity.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

04/05/2022

3/4

It's impossible to watch and not be moved.

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Rich L.

@Richard810 Apr 29

So powerful and moving

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Joseph N

@RT25774525 Mar 31

The complexity on what it means to be a better person and to identify those that struggle to find themselves is rooted in the complexity of Denzel’s acting which was top notch. 10/10 movie

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Tamika M

@RT78519020 Dec 1

I was a bit skeptical about watching but my husband convinces me last year to watch it and I am so moved by it. You cannot watch it and not feel something.

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James T

@Leanwright842 Oct 13

Thought and emotion provoking insight to a time frame many of us never knew. Davis and Washington respectfully do an awesome job delivering their characters in a way that makes you a part of the anger, the sympathy, the anguish, and everything in between.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Aug 13

Academy Award winner in 2017 for Best Supporting Actress (Viola Davis). 89th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.

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Dean M

@RT45743589 Jul 31

I love Denzel and he is great in this as always, but the movie was lacking any real movement or come together at the end. I found it hard to watch and frustrating but maybe that's why others think it is so powerful. Basically it's about an angry, difficult man who learns nothing in his life and his whole family suffers because of him. He is afraid to help others prosper in any way and in turn makes everyone's life misery. Probably some good lessons for some to learn but its also over 2 hours I won't get back.

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Denzel Washington

Director

Denzel Washington

Troy Maxson

Viola Davis

Rose Maxson

Stephen Henderson

Jim Bono

Jovan Adepo

Cory

Russell Hornsby

Lyons

Fences: Official Clip - Alberta Had the Baby

2:09

Fences: Official Clip - The Best of What's In Me

2:13

Fences: Official Clip - Becoming a Man

2:08

Fences: Official Clip - Somebody's Daddy

2:12

Fences: Official Clip - Death Knocks Again

1:51

Fences: Official Clip - Sins of the Father

2:11

Fences: Official Clip - Wrestling Death

2:12

Fences: Official Clip - I Ain't Got to Like You

2:09

Fences: Official Clip - Troy's Victory

2:15

Fences: Official Clip - The Same Spot As You

2:14

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Synopsis

Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in the 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's chance to meet a college football recruiter.

Director: Denzel Washington
Producer: Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington, Todd Black
Screenwriter: August Wilson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Sony Classical, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive References|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 24, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.6M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital