Fences

Some fences keep people out, others fence them in. Troy, the main character in Fences – set in the 1950s USA – has experience with both kinds. The hardworking family father has created a life for himself, his wife and their son, Cory. But things starts changing when Cory gets an opportunity to make a career in football. Troy never got to realize his own dream of being a sports star because of the color of his skin. A sense of jealousy, mixed with a fear that Cory will experience the same disappointment he did, creates a conflict between father and son. At the same time, Rose starts to question the life she's lived with – and through – Troy for 18 years. Denzel Washington's film is based on an award-winning play, and is at times fairly dialogue-heavy. But its exploration of race and generational conflicts is as wise at it is captivating, and the acting is impeccable, especially from Viola Davis who won an Academy Award for her performance as Rose. MWV

Denzel Washington (b. 1954) is an American actor, director and producer, and winner of three Golden Globe Awards and two Oscars. Washington is primarily an actor known for his performances in Malcolm X (1992) and Training Day (2001), to name but a few. As director he made is debut with Antwone Fisher (2002), and later The Challenge (2007), both critically acclaimed.