Fences

20162016
PG-13PG-13
2h 19min

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)

An African-American father struggles with race relations in the United States while trying to raise his family in the 1950s and coming to terms with the events of his life.

Play trailer2:27

A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life.

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 57 wins & 120 nominations total

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington and Stephen McKinley Henderson in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington and Charlotte Bruus Christensen in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)

Viola Davis in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Mykelti Williamson in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington and Jovan Adepo in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)

Viola Davis in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington and Jovan Adepo in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington and Charlotte Bruus Christensen in Fences (2016)

Viola Davis and Russell Hornsby in Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington

Troy Maxsonas Troy Maxson

Rose Maxsonas Rose Maxson

Stephen McKinley Henderson

Jim Bonoas Jim Bono

Coryas Cory

Russell Hornsby

Lyonsas Lyons

Mykelti Williamson

Gabrielas Gabriel

Raynellas Raynell

Christopher Mele

Deputy Commissioneras Deputy Commissioner

Evangelist Preacheras Evangelist Preacher
(as Leslie Boone)

Garbage Truck Driveras Garbage Truck Driver

Toussaint Raphael Abessolo

Troy's Fatheras Troy's Father
(uncredited)

Gregory Bromfield

Courthouse Workeras Courthouse Worker
(uncredited)

Hanibal Chancellor

Watermelon Salesmanas Watermelon Salesman
(uncredited)

Studentas Student
(uncredited)

Towns personas Towns person
(uncredited)

Sanitation workeras Sanitation worker
(uncredited)

Brownieas Brownie
(uncredited)

Backyard Workeras Backyard Worker
(uncredited)

Director
- Denzel Washington
Writer
- August Wilson(screenplay by) (based upon his play "Fences")
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

6.5

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Antwone Fisher

7.3

Training Day

7.7

Flight

7.3

John Q

7.1

The Great Debaters

7.5

The Great Debaters

The Book of Eli

6.9

The Book of Eli

The Hurricane

7.6

American Gangster

7.8

American Gangster

The Equalizer

7.2

Malcolm X

7.7

The Equalizer 2

6.7

The Equalizer 2

Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in 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. —Jwelch5742

frustrated man adopted child disabled character pulitzer prize source stubborn old man 32 more

Taglines
- Some people build fences to keep people out - and other people build fences to keep people in.
Genre
- Drama
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language and some suggestive references
Parents guide

Trivia
In 2017, August Wilson received a posthumous Oscar nomination for his 'Fences' screenplay, adapted from his own play. Wilson, the only credited writer, passed away in 2005.

Goofs
Since Cory's varsity jacket has 1956 on the back, he must have been referring to 1955 as "last baseball season." He mentioned that Sandy Koufax led the league in strikeouts. In fact, Koufax was a rookie in 1955, appeared in only a few games and struck out only 30 batters. He didn't become a dominating pitcher until 1961, when he led the National League in strikeouts for the first time.

Quotes
Cory: Hey pa!
Troy: Hmm?
Cory: Can I ask you a question?
[pause]
Cory: How come you ain't never liked me?
Troy: Like you? What law is there sayin' I got to like you?
Cory: None.
Troy: All right then. Don't you eat every day? Answer me when I talk to you! Don't you eat every day?
Cory: Yeah...
Troy: As long as you're in my house you put a "Sir" on the end of it when you talk to me.
Cory: Yes, Sir.
Troy: You eat every day?
Cory: Yes, Sir.
Troy: You got a roof over you head?
Cory: Yes, Sir.
Troy: Got clothes on your back?
Cory: Yes, Sir.
Troy: Why you think that is?
Cory: 'Cause of you?
Troy: [chuckles] Hell, I know it's 'cause of me. But why do you think that is?
Cory: 'Cause you like me?
Troy: Like you? I go outta here every morning, I bust my butt 'cause 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, feed 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 gave everything I got to give you! I gave you your life! Me and your Mama worked 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 makin' sure that they're doin' right by you! You understand what I'm sayin'?

Connections
Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Movies of 2016 Already Getting Oscar Buzz (2016)

Soundtracks
Jesus Be A Fence Around Me
Written by Sam Cooke
Performed by Viola Davis

Top review

7/10

The Acting Alone Is What Made This Film What It Is.

I would give this film a good 7.5 out of 10 stars. I read some mixed reviews about this film and I'm on the side that says it's good, a bit long for what it was trying to deliver, but good. This film didn't need all of the thrills or heavy duty suspense to stay afloat. With brilliant and top notch actors like Denzel Washington and Viola Davis playing the leads their performances alone will make this film something worth seeing. Being that this film is from a stage play it's almost as if this were just a stage play done on a movie set, that's probably why it had so many bad reviews but I think the director (Denzel Washington) wanted it that way. This is purely a drama film delivered well by some of the most brilliant acting I have ever seen. I must admit, it does take a little while for the story to get good but it's well worth the wait. If you're into drama filled experiences with lots of symbolism and good acting I highly recommend this film.

helpful•30

11

freshclean-66-318608
Mar 25, 2017

When and where is this film set?

Release date
- December 25, 2016 (United States)
Countries of origin
- United States
- Canada
Official site
- Official Site
Language
- English
Also known as
- Паркани
Filming locations
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Production companies
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $24,000,000 (estimated)
Gross US & Canada
- $57,682,904
Opening weekend US & Canada
- $129,462
- Dec 18, 2016
Gross worldwide
- $64,414,761

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 2h 19min
Color
- Color
Sound mix
- Dolby Digital
Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1

Oscar Experts Typing: Will ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ have a fair (not foul) chance of scoring its leads some historic wins?

Oscar Experts Typing: Will ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ have a fair (not foul) chance of scoring its leads some historic wins?

Sep 24Gold Derby

14 Movie Roles Denzel Washington Should Have Turned Down

14 Movie Roles Denzel Washington Should Have Turned Down

Sep 22Slash Film

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences (2016)

Top Gap

By what name was Fences (2016) officially released in India in English?

More to explore

View image

Hollywood Romances: Our Favorite Couples

See the entire gallery

Image caption not available

What to Watch in October

Watch the video

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.