Fences: Can You Relate?

Recently I viewed the major motion film “Fences”.  In my opinion is was a great movie with an amazing cast.  Initially, when I went to view the film I went alone and I'm glad I did.  I wanted to soak up everything the film had to offer.  I received my wish, as I sat in the theater the film tapped into an every emotion that I have.  I was angry, sad, excited, and confused to the point that I got up from my seat to leave the theater and as I walked down the aisle I was pulled back into my seat.  I allowed the movie to take me on the journey from boy to man all over again.

Fences forced me to look at manhood through a different lens.  A realistic one that delved deeply into the emotions of a man.  A frustrated man that seeks to provide for his family and find a place peace for himself in the midst of regrets and growing responsibility.  As a result, I reevaluated my trajectory from boy to man.  I don’t think I could have appreciated this film in this fashion I did if I wasn’t a father, single father at that.  It’s somethings you don’t realize unless you actually have to walk the path.  Outwardly Troy Maxon (played by Denzel Washington) may seem a bit brash but if one were to take a deeper look they would see how he handles his personal interactions with his loved ones and how his defense mechanisms manifest themselves throughout the film.

The relationship between Troy and his wife forced me to think of glue.  Rose (played by Viola Davis) was the glue that holds the family together even after his death.  The family unit was so complex and showed different dynamics which affect families such as incarceration, pay rates, step children, outside children, and even extend family dealing with serious medical issues.  It takes courage to tackle such dynamics especially in a 2-hour time slot yet families deal with the same issues in part of as a whole on a daily basis.

I really appreciated this movie as the first one I can recall whose primary focus is on the family from the father’s perspective.  Even though the father was the focal point I believe the relationships with his family and friends were an intricate part of his story. One blog wouldn’t do this film justice therefore, I’ll be writing on the different viewpoints weekly during the month of February.