Fences

THE GIST: Troy Maxson is a blue collar worker in his fifties, bitter at life for not being allowed to play baseball professionally in his youth because of the color of his skin. He has two sons, the second from his current wife Rose, a close friend and a brother, but his anger and regrets make him hard to get along with, especially since he seems to deny others what he was denied himself.

Fences follows Troy and Rose for many of their years together, allowing Viola Davis and Denzel Washington, two of the greatest actors working in the medium, to really delve into their characters.

The result is a masterful display of prowess, with Davis and Washington running through the gamut of human emotions for us.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The film moves at a deliberate pace, and some parts are tougher to watch than others, but the performances on screen always demand your utmost attention.

Grade: 7.5