Fences- Don’t Strike Out

*SPOILER WARNING*

This is a great film for the month of February, however, no matter the month, time, or day, this is a film worth your time.

"Hear it Ring! Hear it Ring!

"Had an old dog named blue

You know blue was mighty true"

"You know blue's a good 'ole dog

Blue trees a possum in a hollow log

From that you know blue's a good 'ole dog"

"Hear it ring! Hear it ring!"

"Blue chewed a possum on a limb

Blue looked at me and I looked at him

Grab that possum and puttem in a sac

Blue stayed right there, 'till I came back"

"Ole blues feet was big and round

Never let a possum touch the ground

Old blue died, I dug his grave

I dug his grave with a silver spade"

"I Layed him down with a golden chain

"Every night I call his name

"Go on blue you good dog you"

"Blue layed down like a man

Now he's treeing possums in the promised land"

"I'm telling you this just to let you know

Blue's gone to where the good dogs go"

-Exert from Jim Jackson's Old Dog Blue song in Fences

Fences was released in 2016, directed by Denzel Washington and written as a play by August Wilson.

2016 was the year I graduated, I'm not sure why I didn't seen this film then but I do know that it wouldn't have made sense until now.

Raw with realistic depictions of adjusting to the progression of life and society in an African American family in the 1950, audiences follows Troy Maxson played by Denzel Washington (2007s Great Debators), as he struggles with his self concept, raising children, being a husband, and learning who he is versus who he wants to be.

<<<Click Here to View Interviews with the Cast>>>

The song "Old Dog Blue" was jovial at first in the first few scenes of the film as we get to meet the colorful cast of Stephen McKinley (Bono), Voila Davis (Rose), Russell Hornsby (Lyons), Jovan Adepo (Cory) , And Gabriel played by Mykelti Williamson.

However, the songs meaning begins to change by the completion of the film. Which brought me to sudden tears at the realization of what I had seen and privileged to understand.

" People build fences to keep people out and others build Fences to keep people in"- Stephen McKinley as Bono

This quote to me, marks the turning point of the film in which the main character must make a choice. It's also the scene right before Troy( Denzel Washington) breaks our hearts with an unexpected bomb.

The realism of flawed humanity and tender emotional scenes allows the viewer to connect which each character as the story develops.

The ending scene of the film staring Gabriel is my most favorite scene. It ties together both the importance of Gabriel's name and role. Just adding another reason to watch this production.

A scene that is worth mentioning that is both frustrating and a tough pill to swallow would be

The speech given from father to son ending with the quote:

"Don't go through life worrying whether or not if somebody like you. You best be making sure they doing right by you." --Denzel Washington as Troy Maxson

Overall, the movie earned a 92% with rotten tomatoes and an Audience score of 75%.

This is a great film for the month of February, however, no matter the month, time, or day, this is a film worth your time.

Fun Fact: Voila Davis's Birthday is coming up in August on 11th and Denzel Washington just had a birthday on December 28th

As Always, Thank you for reading.

Keep Open Ear, Eyes, & Minds 'Till Next Time