August wilson is the recipient of the 1986 whiting award for drama description this sensational drama starred james earl jones as troy maxson, a former star of the negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 pittsburgh. Troy maxson denzel washington makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s pittsburgh. A look at innovative african american playwright, august wilson, his cycle of. August wilson insisted that a film adaptation of the play be directed by an africanamerican. The film version of august wilsons fences is flawed but presents a more authentic narrative than black lives matter does. Feb 09, 2017 denzel washington and viola davis in fences. Dec 25, 2016 some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.
Denzel washington, viola davis slay august wilson drama. Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in wilsons tenpart pittsburgh cycle. The blue music of fences sings with a ferocious beauty in denzel washingtons longincoming adaptation of august wilsons masterpiece of africanamerican survival and sorrow. Denzel washingtons film fences, an adaptation of the play by august wilson, could well have yielded an excellent movie rather than a turgid one, and consistently inspired performances. The sixth in playwright august wilson s pittsburgh cycle, fences was revived in 2010 starring the same faces in the film, denzel washington and viola davis. Nov 20, 2015 fences by august wilson full play youtube. Fences was wilsons second play to go to broadway and won him the 1987 pulitzer prize for drama. Fences by august wilson fences movie baseball central literature. Music even though its not a musical, fences is full of songs sung by the characters to express joy, sorrow, and praise. Sep 27, 2016 fences trailer 1 2016 denzel washington, viola davis drama movie hd official trailer. Nov 11, 2015 analysis of august wilsons play fences duration.
In this adaptation of august wilsons pulitzer prize and tony awardwinning play, an african american father struggles with race relations in the united states. The first act of the play is a swirling portrait of troy maxsons life. Denzel washington and viola davis reprise their stage roles in washingtons screen adaptation of fences, the beloved 1950sset august wilson play about a black family in pittsburgh. Washington acting and directing, davis, wilson s original drafted screenplay and loyally abiding to wilson s last wishes by utilising an all africanamerican cast. Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in. Troy is fiftythree years old, a large man with thick, heavy hands. Denzel washington directed and stars in this adaptation of august wilsons pulitzer prizewinning play. And like its main character, this story is full of contradictions. Fences doesnt take the opportunity to do anything cinematic with august wilson s classic source material, however, it does boast careerbest performances by viola davis and denzel washington. August wilsons fences is bringing new light on a sadly. Having now completed a decade by decade cycle of seven plays that illustrate the. Wylie avenue, the hill, pittsburgh early septembermorning the rear of the garbage truck, gods point of view.
Fences gives us another stunning performance as a 1950s era man struggling to raise his family the best he can find a way. An adaption of august wilson s tony winning play, director denzel washington has kept the project as minimalist as possible. Fences a solid showcase for wilsons dialogue, powerful. Some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in. Adapted by august wilson from his pulitzer prize and tony awardwinning play and. From legendary playwright august wilson comes the powerful, stunning dramatic bestseller that won him critical acclaim. The sixth in playwright august wilsons pittsburgh cycle, fences was revived in 2010 starring the same faces in the film, denzel washington and viola davis. To name only a few of the prizes wilson won, one can refer to a pulitzer prize and a tony award for his play fences, and a second pulitzer prize for the piano lesson. The first thing movie goers should understand about fences is that it is very much a filmed play. August wilsons fences is one of the great american plays of the 20th century filled with memorable characters, deep with poetically rich dialogue, equally infused with moments of. Although the guides intent is to enhance the students theatrical experience, it can also be used as an introduction to the elements of a play, and the production elements involved in the plays presentation. Excited, intrigued about film adaptations of august wilsons fences and chimamanda ngozi. Nov 22, 2016 washingtons movie almost music free, completely dutiful to wilsons work lies somewhere between the stabs at cinema in john wellss august. A short august wilson biography describes august wilsons life, times, and work.
Fences is a deeply affecting treatise on marriage, poverty and the struggles of sons to confront the long shadow of the man who brought them into this world. It has taken awhile, but fences is finally on the big screen, and for that we can be thankful this holiday season. Jan 05, 2017 this movie is an adaptation of his 1983 stage masterwork fences, which wilson had been working on for so long that it at one time had cast a redhot eddie murphy as a teenage. Arguably august wilsons most renowned work, fences explores the life and relationships of the maxson family.
Wilson purposefully set fences during the year when which black ballplayer led the milwaukee braves to the world series. Each drama explores a different decade in the 20th century, and each examines the lives and struggles of africanamericans. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of fences. In typical august wilson fashion, the play begins with a whole bunch of stage directions. The first thing moviegoers should understand about fences is that it is very much a filmed play. August wilson 19452005 was a prominent africanamerican playwright who wrote 15 plays for which he won many awards. The failure of the american dream in august wilsons fences. Troy is fifty three years old a large man with thick, heavy hands. What fences misses about adapting plays for the screen. Three billboards outside ebbing, missouri takes 5 awards. This movie is an adaptation of his 1983 stage masterwork fences, which wilson had been working on for so long that it at one time had cast a redhot eddie murphy as a teenage. A short august wilson biography describes august wilson s life, times, and work. I did not know any of this going in, and i shouldnt have to. Jan 11, 2017 denzel washington talks about the cinematic challenges of adapting the pulitzer prizewinning play.
Fences comes to the stage almost entirely intact, including wilsons beautiful language and scenerychewing monologues, and as troy denzel washington does some of his finest acting work in. In the screen adaption of the august wilson play fences, denzel washington is a former negro leagues ballplayer. His august wilson film adaptation of fences has been. The play won the 1987 pulitzer prize for drama and the 1987 tony award for best play. Fences is a 2016 american period drama film starring, produced and directed by denzel washington and written by august wilson.
Set in the 1950s, it is the sixth in wilson s tenpart pittsburgh cycle. Fences was wilson s second play to go to broadway and won him the 1987 pulitzer prize for drama. Fences faithfully adapts the pulitzerprize winning play but lacks cinematic edge. Its very difficult to manage expectations when the talent on and off screen is immeasurable. I cant help wondering how it would look if they decided to make an actual movie based on august.
Also explains the historical and literary context that influenced fences. Its fairly shocking that no play from the great august wilson has ever been. Wilson has taken upon himself the responsibility to write a play about black experiences in the united states for every decade of the 20th century. Previous section full book quiz next section plot summary quick quiz. Denzel washington and viola davis in fences denzel washington directs and stars in a towering screen version of august wilsons play about a flawed innercity patriarch. 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 sons jovan adepo chance to meet a college football recruiter. An adaption of august wilsons tony winning play, director denzel washington has kept the project as minimalist as possible. Dec 25, 2016 the sixth in playwright august wilson s pittsburgh cycle, fences was revived in 2010 starring the same faces in the film, denzel washington and viola davis. Dec 15, 2016 it has taken awhile, but fences is finally on the big screen, and for that we can be thankful this holiday season.
In addition to washington, the film also stars viola davis, stephen mckinley henderson, jovan adepo, russell hornsby, mykelti williamson and saniyya sidney. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the sparknotes fences study guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Fences trailer 1 2016 denzel washington, viola davis drama movie hd official trailer. August wilson once dropped out of school, disillusioned after having been unjustly accused of plagiarism by a racist instructor who could not fathom the artistic and intellectual genius of a then young black male writer. Full text of august wilson fences see other formats act 1 act 1, scene 1 act one scene one it is 1957. Fences is a character driven piece with little plot. I wont ruin the movie for you by telling you what i like and dont like, but i will tell you this. Academy award winner denzel washington and academy award nominee viola davis deliver the years.
Fences is part of august wilsons pittsburg cycle, a collection of ten plays. Nov 22, 2016 denzel washington and viola davis reprise their stage roles in washingtons screen adaptation of fences, the beloved 1950sset august wilson play about a black family in pittsburgh. Fences is a 1985 play by american playwright august wilson. Ghstv germantown high school television 7,696 views. Fences is a 2016 american period drama film directed by and starring denzel washington and written by august wilson, based on his pulitzer prizewinning play of the same name wilson died in 2005, but completed a screenplay before his death. Fences, originally a play by august wilson, won the pulitzer prize for drama and a tony award in 1987. In the screen adaption of the august wilson play fences, denzel washington is a former negro leagues ballplayer whose bitterness over constricted opportunities. Full text of august wilson fences internet archive. Gabriel has an old trumpet strung around his neck and is carrying a basket full of fruits and vegetables. Jamila nichols manditory assignment seven guitars, the fifth august wilson cycle play that ron oj parson has directed at the court theatre in chicago, is worth the drive south. Feb 25, 2017 opening scene for fences starring denzel washington and viola davis i do not own any content show in this video all property and content belongs to its respective owners.
August wilson screenplay by, august wilson based upon his play fences. Two times oscar winner denzel washington directs and stars in august wilsons pulitzer prizewinning portrait of a family in crisis, unflinchingly weighs the. The guide has been organized into three major sections. Troy and bono enter the yard, engaged in conversation. Theres his best friend, bono, whom he met while in prison. What fences misses about adapting plays for the screen the. Dec 02, 2016 some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in. Opening scene for fences starring denzel washington and viola davis i do not own any content show in this video all property and content belongs to its respective owners. Onscreen power often emerges fullblown among accidentally. Fences is part of august wilson s pittsburg cycle, a collection of ten plays. This moving drama was written in 1983 and earned wilson his first pulitzer prize. It takes place in a roughhewn neighborhood in pittsburgh, but theres a certain grecian majesty about it all. Dec 22, 2016 august wilsons fences is one of the great american plays of the 20th century filled with memorable characters, deep with poetically rich dialogue, equally infused with moments of.
Fences this bigscreen adaptation of august wilsons pulitzer prizewinning play is brilliantly acted by denzel washington and viola davis. Fences screenplay by august wilson based upon his play. Troy maxson and jim bono hang on to either side of the truck as it heads toward its next collection point. Wilson won the pulitzer prize for drama again in 1990 for his play the piano lesson. Set in 1950s pittsburgh, the film adaptation of august wilsons pulitzer prizewinning play takes a passionate look at former baseball player troy maxson as he. Like all of the pittsburgh plays, fences explores the evolving african american experience and examines race relations, among other themes. I am a prime member, and after seeing many movies, i can honestly say, finally a good very good, movie.
1261 357 976 636 1413 719 758 757 747 1232 1447 1509 793 1157 696 1436 154 471 153 594 1095 881 1406 1558 925 674 674 1571 796 1487 262 195 857 1078 1260 1490 51 1360 641 286 488 1021 1199 759