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IMDbPro

Fences

  • 20162016
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 19m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
110K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,586
25
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
12 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama
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.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
110K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,586
25
    • Denzel Washington
    • August Wilson(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Viola Davis
    • Stephen McKinley Henderson
    • Denzel Washington
    • August Wilson(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Viola Davis
    • Stephen McKinley Henderson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 437User reviews
    • 333Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Videos12

    Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:27
    Watch Trailer #2
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:51
    Watch Teaser Trailer
    The Rise of Viola Davis
    Clip 4:01
    Watch The Rise of Viola Davis
    Why Dont You Like Me
    Clip 0:52
    Watch Why Dont You Like Me
    The Marrying Kind
    Clip 1:04
    Watch The Marrying Kind
    Why Dont You Like Me
    Clip 0:52
    Watch Why Dont You Like Me
    The Marrying Kind
    Clip 1:04
    Watch The Marrying Kind
    Jovan Adepo on Working with Viola Davis and Denzel Washington
    Interview 3:35
    Watch Jovan Adepo on Working with Viola Davis and Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington on His IMDb Best-Known Movies
    Interview 2:57
    Watch Denzel Washington on His IMDb Best-Known Movies
    Denzel Washington and Viola Davis on Family in 'Fences'
    Interview 1:43
    Watch Denzel Washington and Viola Davis on Family in 'Fences'
    Constanza Romero
    Interview 3:40
    Watch Constanza Romero
    Saniyya Sidney
    Interview 2:50
    Watch Saniyya Sidney

    Photos109

    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)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington
    • Troy Maxson
    Viola Davis
    Viola Davis
    • Rose Maxson
    Stephen McKinley Henderson
    Stephen McKinley Henderson
    • Jim Bono
    Jovan Adepo
    Jovan Adepo
    • Cory
    Russell Hornsby
    Russell Hornsby
    • Lyons
    Mykelti Williamson
    Mykelti Williamson
    • Gabriel
    Saniyya Sidney
    Saniyya Sidney
    • Raynell
    Christopher Mele
    Christopher Mele
    • Deputy Commissioner
    Lesley Boone
    Lesley Boone
    • Evangelist Preacher
    • (as Leslie Boone)
    Jason Silvis
    • Garbage Truck Driver
    Toussaint Raphael Abessolo
    • Troy's Father
    • (uncredited)
    Rachelle Beinart
    Rachelle Beinart
    • Miss Canby - Attendee at Troy's Funeral
    • (uncredited)
    Gregory Bromfield
    Gregory Bromfield
    • Courthouse Worker
    • (uncredited)
    Joshua Camerata
    • Angelo the Italian Server
    • (uncredited)
    Hanibal Chancellor
    • Watermelon Salesman
    • (uncredited)
    Cara Clark
    Cara Clark
    • Student
    • (uncredited)
    Tra'Waan Coles
    Tra'Waan Coles
    • Towns person
    • (uncredited)
    Sean Cummings
    • Sanitation worker
    • (uncredited)
      • Denzel Washington
      • August Wilson(screenplay by) (based upon his play "Fences")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      "Fences" opened on Broadway in 1987, winning the Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Actor (James Earl Jones), and Best Featured Actress (Mary Alice). A revival of "Fences" opened in 2010, winning the Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor Denzel Washington, and Best Actress (Viola Davis). All five adult actors reprise their roles in this film adaptation, with Washington also directing.
    • 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

    User reviews437

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Very good
    The acting in this film is outstanding. Denzel and Viola are truly at their best and the consistency with which they convey the depth of emotion required of them in this film is outstanding. To me, this was the best part about the film. It was a little difficult to sit through this one, mostly because it is a movie in which not much happens. Don't mistake this as a comment from someone who loves action-packed movies (although I do sometimes), but rather it plods along and neither has very high highs or very low lows. As such, I drifted in and out of the story and was still able to keep up. It is important story to tell, but I can see how it was potentially better as a play. It is definitely worth seeing, if nothing else for the superb acting.
    helpful•46
    25
    • bobbyparkfilm
    • Feb 17, 2017

    FAQ1

    • When and where is this film set?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 2016 (United States)
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Official Site
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Pennsylvania, USA
    • Production companies
      • BRON Studios
      • Escape Artists
      • MACRO
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 19 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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