King Kong don't have nothing on Troy Maxon.
"Fences" is a theatrical powerhouse. The modern movie goer isn't going to watch this with all the same joy you watch in a theater. But this is quite honestly THE best picture this year. Is it a fun watch? No. It is a smart watch. AND a solid classic movie. A movie that rivals "Streetcar Named Desire" or "Death Of A Salesman" without being superlame like "Birdman" or "Spotlight." This movie isn't too cool for school.
The story is about a washed up ballplayer in the Negro League who hasn't come to terms he's too old to play in an integrated pro league. He works as a garbage collector still resentful towards the world and what place it has dropped him. He is married ro a wonderfully understanding wife played wonderfully by Viola Davis (who should easily win supporting actress). She humors Troy, with their teen son and makes her best support for another son from a different relationship who visits, it seems, only when he needs money.
So what is Troy left with? Stories. Tall tales and working class jokes. And planting pearls of wisdom from past experience. But is it from a good place? It's from a painful place. But the message isn't angry Black man gets angry...he is so absorbed in what he hasn't gotten in life, but continues to make rules as to why.
What is it that makes this movie unique? That's for you to decide. There isn't massive revelations. They're small moments of people at the edge, just trying to get through life.
I love this movie. It's a character driven human drama. Sooooo starved with the heavy VFX movies. I hope this gains award traction, as I'd like to see more of this type of movie.
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