Movie Review: FENCES

We always hear or see movies with the same story lines, showing the struggles and the obstacles that black woman endure but we don't get to hear much about the men. I mean we all know that they don't like to share their feelings. Most keep everything bottled up inside. Fences was the "Diary of A Mad Black Man" Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo, Stephen Henderson, Mykelti Williamson, Russell Hornsby, Saniyya Sidney.

Denzel, who did an outstanding job playing the big role of Troy, a former league baseball player, now working as a waste collector, who struggles with race relations in the United States while trying to raise and provide for his family and come to terms with the events of his life.

The movie based on a play was also directed by Denzel. The story is set in the 1950s narrated from the point of view of a black man. In the theater, the story was very confusing at first to me but then when I sit back and as I write this post now I realize how powerful this movie is.

This story shows the struggle of a man trying to keep his head above water. "Some people build fences to keep people out...and other people build fences to keep people in." To me Fences represents the family and how Troy tries his hardest to be a good father, brother, husband. This movie touches on many dynamics and situations. One of the many scenes I took the most of is when his son asked if he liked him? Growing up in a Haitian household where most Dads like mine was very tough and didn't show much affection and love because he too wasn't raised like that it hit home. But Troy's response was very honest and eye opening....

Like you. I go out every morning, I bust my butt because I like you. You’re about the biggest fool I ever saw. A man is supposed to take care of his family, you live in my house, fill your belly with my food, put your behind on my bed, because you’re my son. It’s my duty to take care of you, I owe a responsibility to you. I ain’t got to like you. Now I did everything I got to give you, I gave you your life! Me and your mama worked that out between us and liking your black ass wasn’t part of the bargain. Now, don’t you go through life worrying about whether somebody like you or not? You best be making sure that they’re doing right by you! Do you understand what I’m saying?

As a father, he did all he could do. To me, he gave him a lesson in life, that moment he didn't say I don't love you but he just simply told him this is not what life is about. That their will be things you don't like but you will have to do. That you have to grow up.

This story was eye opening touching on many situations and difficulties family face. It also shows how different it was for every generation, Troy sons grew up diffierently they all saw things different. One of the many conflicts Fathers and their children face is that the fathers like his wife rose said "doesn't notice the world has changed"

The more I write and reflect on this movie the more I love it and feel it's a great movie for your mind. The only downfall was I believe it would be a much impactful movie if it wasnt all one setting and same characters that we saw. I wanted to see Alberta, I wanted to watch the son actually play... Don't want to give to much away but it's not just one of those entertaining movies where you just go home after and continue life. I recommend this movie to everyone, especially our men of today.