Premium Essay

Fences Film Analysis

Submitted By
Words 503
Pages 3
Denzel Washington has a much busier acting career than directorial. Nearly a decade has passed since he directed “The Great Debaters”, and fourteen since his directorial debut “Antwone Fisher”. In “Fences”, a wonderfully acted drama written by the late August Wilson and adapted from his own play, Washington maintains the tradition of taking over the leading role on every film he directs. He not only demonstrates his sturdy guidance with this challenging project but also delivers a great performance as Troy Maxson, an intransigent garbage collector who’s finally enjoying some stability in the aftermath of a complicated past. The film is set in 1950, Pittsburgh, where he owns a good house purchased with the compensation money consigned to his …show more content…
He was around 40 when he got out of the prison, and baseball became his life and passion. However, he never left the Negro Leagues, not because of the color of his skin but because of his age. Now in his early fifties, Troy still believes he was a victim of racial discrimination in that matter. Besides drinking, he loves to chat with his longtime workmate Jim Bono (Stephen Henderson), who praises their friendship, just like he does. They have a good reason to celebrate when Troy is promoted and becomes the first colored man in Pittsburgh driving a garbage truck, even with no driver’s license.

The main character also boasts a solid 18-year marriage with the kind-hearted Rose (Viola Davis), who accepts him with all his frailties. They have a 17-year-old son, Cory (Jovan Adepo), who intends to quit his job to play football but doesn’t have the permission of his father. Besides sabotaging all his dreams of becoming a professional footballer, Troy also makes him feel diminished and unloved with his resentful and authoritarian personality.
Troy surely acts in a different way with Lyons (Russell Hornsby), his estranged son from a previous relationship, who invariably stops by the house on his dad’s payday in order to borrow some money. He keeps trying to live as a musician, despite Troy’s

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Australian Identity In Rabbit Proof Fence

...The film rabbit proof fence is considered a landmark film and sits under this title by ensuring the film has used certain scenes to contribute towards the development of Australian identity and society. By analysing the film rabbit proof fence, it encourages me to believe that this particular scene has used a variety of film techniques such as using different camera shots and foregrounding ideologies throughout, that will contribute towards and further reinforce the attitudes, values and beliefs of Australian identity and society. Throughout the film rabbit proof fence the lead protagonist is considered to be molly, a young aboriginal girl who is taken away from her family along with her two sisters and put into a campus for aboriginal children at Moree river, but further throughout the film she manages to escape with her sisters and find her way back to her family who are hundreds of kilometres away, but somehow the one of the workers of the campus manages to find them in the end with the help of an expert aboriginal tracker and several more men out searching for molly and her two sisters. Throughout this film molly is proved a hero and is characterized as a brave girl who is determined to take extreme...

Words: 1060 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Therminator

...Essay on Essay Analysis on The Movie "The Terminator" For the purposes of this essay I have chosen The Terminator, a science fiction B-movie feature from 1984. Although I intend mainly to study this purely as a single film, I do intend to study Terminator 2 in addition, thus making the essay a study of the series. In addition, I will be contrasting the theory written surrounding these films in relation to other contemporary postmodern theory, and as a result will be mentioning several other films by way of a comparison or contrast. The Terminator seems quite remarkable to me, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is one of many action films I watched in my early teens; a considerable number of which, like this film, starred the Austrian body-builder turned actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. What is so different about The Terminator though, is that unlike most of these films, this movie has enough depth and substance that, not only does it still bear watching now that I am older, but it also has an archive of academic theory written about it. The Terminator tells of a cyborg, a human shaped machine coated in flesh, that is sent back in time, from an apocalyptic future in which machines have 'got smart' and acted on their own to destroy the human race. The cyborg's mission is to assassinate the mother of the human's great leader, the man who taught the survivors to fight back against the machines. The woman, a young waitress named Sarah Connor, is protected only by a lone warrior...

Words: 1075 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Rabbit Proof Fence

...In this essay, I will describe the life of the Aboriginals in Australia, a characterisation of the character Jack McPhee and some comments of his experiences in the novel “Wanamurraganya”, an analysis of “Mary’s Song Cycle”, and finally I will talk about the movie “Rabbit Proof Fence” First, I will like to start talking about who and what the Aboriginals are, they were the original residentes of Australia and they have been there since around 45.000 years ago, however the Aboriginals claim they trace their creation back to the “Dreamtime”, an era where the earth were created. Before the first settlers came to Australia in 1788, the Aboriginal people lived throughout Australia, although the most of the population lived along the coast. Today more than half of all Aboriginals live in cities, often in cruel conditions with bad educations, and some with the habit of drug, alcohol and smoking addictions. The novel starts with that Jack McPhee is born in 1905, and that he is an illegitimate son of an Aboriginal woman and white station owner. Mary’s Song Cycle is made Ruby Langford Ginibi, she is born Jan 26 1934 and she died Oct 1 2011, she a Bundjalung author, historian and lecturer on Aboriginal history, culture and politics. The poem is narrative, because it a tells a story, the story is about the “stolen generation” and how the Australian government treated the Aboriginals, the poem ask the reader where it’s people, children, traditions and warriors are, but right in the...

Words: 654 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

The Dorector's Point of View

...ng, CityVarsity Television and Film Production Techniques DIR200 2nd Year Directing “The Director's POV” Index: 1. Introduction 4 Section A: My Version 2. 1st Chosen Scene: Original Script 5-8 3. 1st Chosen Scene: Shooting Script 9 4. 1st Chosen Scene: Shot List 9-12 5. 1st Chosen Scene: Floor Plan 13 6. 1st Chosen Scene: Chosen Shots Storyboarded 14-15 7. 1st Chosen Scene: Short Analysis of Scene 16 8. 2nd Chosen Scene: Original Script 17-22 9. 2nd Chosen Scene: Shooting Script 23 10. 2nd Chosen Scene: Shot List 23-26 11. 2nd Chosen Scene: Floor Plan 27 12. 2nd Chosen Scene: Storyboard 28-29 13. 2nd Chosen Scene: Short Analysis of Scene 30 Section B: Their Version 14. 1st Chosen Scene: Floor Plan of Actual Shots 32 15. 1st Chosen Scene: Marked Up Script 33-38 16. 1st Chosen Scene: Various Notes on the Filmed Scene 38-39 17. 2nd Chosen Scene: Floor Plan 40 18. 2nd Chosen Scene: Marked Up Script 41-47 19. 2nd Chosen Scene: Various Notes on the Filmed Scene 48 Section C: Comparison 20. Comparison 49-52 Section D: General Analysis of the film 21. Plot Summary 53-54 22. Tag Line 54 23. 'What if...?' Statement 54 24. List of Locations 55-57 25. Character profiles 57-59 26. Subtext 60-61 27. "Moments" 61 28. Director's Style 62 29. Emotions 62-63 30. Conclusion 63 1. Introduction Initially I was going...

Words: 11635 - Pages: 47

Free Essay

Christo and Jeanne Claude

...Christo and Jeanne-Claude Origins • Christo (born Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, Bulgarian: Христо Явашев, June 13, 1935) and Jeanne-Claude (born Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon, June 13, 1935 – November 18, 2009) were a married couple who created massive and environmental works of art. • They married over objections from Jeanne Claude’s family(they became their supporters later), forming one of the most durable and creative partnerships in the history of art. • Christo studied art at the Sofia Academy from 1953 to 1956, and went to Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) until 1957, when he left for the West by bribing a railway official and stowing away with several other individuals on-board a train transporting medicine and medical supplies to Austria. • She was described as "extroverted" and with natural organizational abilities. Her hair was dyed red and she smoked cigarettes, and tried to quit many times until her weight would balloon. She did not enjoy cooking.[5] She took responsibility for overseeing work crews and for raising funds.[2] She said she became an artist out of love for Christo (if he'd been a dentist, she said she'd have become a dentist • Their works were credited to just "Christo" until 1994 when the outdoor works and large indoor installations were retroactively credited to "Christo and Jeanne-Claude • They flew in separate planes: in case one crashed, the other could continue their work. Concerns/About Work • A trademark of the work is...

Words: 3888 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

The Stolen Generation in Australia

...The Stolen Generation in Australia The Aboriginal people lived long on their land without any contact from the Europeans. They are believed to first arrive in Australia between 42,000 and 48,000 years ago (Beck). They managed to live in often inhospitable conditions unbearable for the inhabitants of the “old continent”. The Aborigines did not differ only in their living conditions, but also in their way of living in general, their culture. The aboriginal culture was based on several principles which did not come to understanding when the Europeans first arrived. Perhaps the most essential aspect of the Aboriginal culture is the “kinship obligation”, when everyone in the tribe is expected to perform certain tasks without being asked to (Encyclopædia Britannica 4). The white society, in contrast with the Australian indigenous people, was based (and still is) on the concept of private membership, something absolutely unknown in Australia prior to the European settlements. The irreconcilable differences led, in consequence, to clashes and misunderstandings between the two cultures. The Europeans, however, regarded themselves superior. Lloyd describes the situation in Australia after the arrival of the European settlers as being based on “the idea of Aborigines as an inferior ‘doomed race,’ superseded by more highly developed, more enlightened Europeans” (Lloyd). No matter whether this claim was legitimate or not, it had damaging consequences. James Cook landed in Botany Bay in...

Words: 1839 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Order and Chaos in Jurassic Park

...Louis E. Kohler Critical Film Analysis 1 Fine Arts Film- Spring 2014 Order and Chaos in Jurassic Park First time watching Jurassic Park the theme that stands out most is Man vs. Nature but this is not the best fit. The true theme is almost shown straight forward during the helicopter ride to the island when Dr. Malcolm states, “John doesn't subscribe to Chaos, particularly what it has to say about his little science project!” (Koepp 19) pitting him against Hammond. These two are the most obvious players in the chaos game, but Dr. Sattler against Dr. Grant and the Tyrannosaurus Rex (T. rex) against the Velociraptors (Raptors) are also players. The other characters do not have as defined roles but still play into the game. They all have a common theme: Chaos vs. Order. Most of the main characters arrive on the island on the same helicopter. The first view inside shows Hammond, Dr. Sattler, and Dr. Grant on the right with Dr. Malcolm and Gennaro on the left. This scene shows who is on which side of the line, but Hammond’s and Dr. Malcolm’s conflict with each other is most prevalent. Hammond is wearing all white while Dr. Malcolm is, “dressed all in black” (Koepp 18) adding visual representation of the polar difference between chaos and order. Chaos and order is the root topic during the Velociraptor birth and lunch scene. Dr. Sattler and Dr. Grant debate which will win in the end but Dr. Malcolm and Hammond have already made up their minds. Chaos is thrown its first blow when...

Words: 996 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Bystander Effect Essay

...occurred in America in the past decade. People were horrified and shocked when they first learned that one of America’s most famous buildings had been attacked. It was a day where the entire country was in a state of mourning over those individuals who lost their lives in this catastrophic attack. Ironically, Thomas Hoepker’s photograph captures a group of five individuals casually observing this tragic attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 with no display of concern or grief. These individuals appear as if they are not worried about the thousands of lives that were lost on that sad day. At first glance, the first thing that comes to one’s mind is that these five individuals appear to be desensitized to violence. However, through further analysis we learn that these individuals are not desensitized to this violence but in fact feel a different sense of responsibility to express their feelings in the presence of others. Thomas Hoepker’s photograph shows a group of five individuals under the sun in a park near Brooklyn while a dark grey cloud of smoke fills the sky behind them as a result of the two buildings being under attack. The body postures of the individuals show that they acknowledge the disaster that is occurring behind them but that they appear to ignore this violence. The woman lying on her back is shown to be very oblivious of the situation at hand. The body posture of this woman shows that she is detached from her surroundings. It is as if she is more concerned about...

Words: 1781 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Arguments Against Gmo

...The Non GMO Project documents that over 80% of the U.S food contain GMO’s. (“GMO Facts”) America has become such a large consumer in the genetically modified industry. However most people don’t even recognize their consumption of it. It’s most popular GMO is corn, with soy closely behind it. The film Food Inc. shows genetically modified tomatoes to give viewers a closer look at exactly how and what they are eating. An example that can be categorized in risks due to the gases used or you could look at it as a positive and say that a) it suffices b) you get more for your buck. Two arguments that could clearly showcase the possibility of a risk and benefit of...

Words: 1191 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Affordable Care Act and Corporations

...Diego Salinas, Matt Hammer, and Daniel Mishkin Facts The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of Grievances.” Numerous cases discuss whether corporations have First Amendment rights, however only few cases discuss whether the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment applies to corporations. In Central Hudson v. PSC (1980) and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects corporations’ commercial speech and political speech, respectively. In Santa Clara Company v. Southern Pacific Railroad (1886) the court ruled that the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment applies to corporations. The issue of whether the Affordable Care Act violates individuals’ rights to Free Exercise of Religion has also been a hotly debated topic. The Supreme Court Case Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. Hialeah (1993) discussed whether the government can give ordinances that violate an individual’s right to Free Exercise. The Supreme Court Case Shervert v. Verner (1963) showed that a company cannot not provide an employee with compensation benefits if it interferes with the employee’s right to Free Exercise. Issue Should corporations receive...

Words: 2924 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Mbw Case

...to movie star Charles Young and Amy Shea Hall, Ameritest, examine a famous piece of branded entertainment, and show how two similar films have different effects F ADE IN: An impossibly handsome man guides his convertible up to a dilapidated house on a deserted street. He exits; his white suit glints in the sun as he surveys the landscape from behind impenetrable sunglasses. In his hand, a metallic attaché case. Members of a SWAT team manoeuvre silently behind a fence. The driver takes out his cell phone and dials. A man’s voice answers. The driver says simply ‘I’m here.’ The latest Hollywood blockbuster? A prime-time TV drama? Neither. It’s advertising. Or, more accurately, advertising on steroids, aka branded entertainment. This is the opening of ‘The Hostage’, produced by BMW and their former ad agency, Fallon, employing A-list director John Woo. To understand why this and seven other BMW films were made, one need only look to the challenges facing the long-time prime brand-advertising venue: TV. Media platforms are multiplying; the internet moves ever closer to being our primary source of information, music and entertainment; and TV recording technology allows for easier ad-skipping. Advertisers worldwide are searching for new ways to use the power of film to reach increasingly elusive viewers. It is easy to be drawn in to these films and forget that they had, from their inception, a purpose beyond brilliant entertainment. Our question, and that of many, is did they...

Words: 2848 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Shutter Island

...screen text: Boston Harbour Islands, 1954 fog; a ferry appears; a man (Chuck) stands at the bow // INT. HEAD - DAY: a man being sick "It's just water. It's a lot of water." SHALLOW FOCUS on manacles and handcuffs, PULL FOCUS as he emerges He joins a solicitous Chuck at the rail. They introduce themselves – he is Teddy Daniels, a "legend" in the US Marshalls. Teddy concedes that he used to be married Day 1 EST. the wider context; from here on, everything will be from Teddy's POV. Our first view of the protagonist is a double and ambiguous image: his black silhouette and his reflection in a mirror, water dripping off his face. Water will be a significant motif. Teddy's first view of Chuck is a back view, through a link-chain fence (M). Chuck's full name is Chuck Aule (get...

Words: 8295 - Pages: 34

Premium Essay

Edward Joag Film Analysis

...MISE EN SCENE ANALYSIS OF EDWARD SCISSORHANDS EXT/INT MRS. BOGGS CAR DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, DAY,. This sequence begins at approximately 15:45 into the film, after Peg Boggs encounters Edward for the first time in the mansion, it depicts them both in the car as she drives him to her house. Shot 1: 25 seconds total (including reverse shots). Tracking two shot MCU. Eye-level. Edward and Peg drive down the street to Peg's house. Edward admires the sights, people, and activities that he has never experienced or seen before. Edward smiles meekly at first, and then more broadly and confidently when he glances briefly at Peg and she they both smile at each other. He clumsily points to something and nearly injures Peg with his hands, and he bumps...

Words: 3956 - Pages: 16

Free Essay

The Many Facets of Bree in Desperate Housewives

...The many facets of Bree in Desperate Housewives Desperate Housewives (ABC 2004-2012) embodies many of the characteristics that the Suburban Gothic genre is trying to project. There is anxiety surrounding suburbanisation and the reality behind the nuclear family. This in turn brings up many issues regarding patriarchal society and the gender roles that are performed within this system. As the title suggests, the show centres around housewives, each with a different set of problems but ones that essentially culminate into the major problems of suppression, lack of identity, financial entrapment, sexuality in relation to men and the family, as well as the role of the woman in the home. The show has a serio-comic take on the issues mentioned above which allows the characters to publicly reveal their deepest secrets and have them criticised, satirized and related to by the other characters as well as the audience. This breaks with the normative ideology that is a result of the consistent repetition of (most times negative) images surrounding these gender roles. Instead of promoting the problematic behaviour and psychology that is depicted on the show, Desperate Housewives means to show audiences what is wrong with society through its characters and use of humour contrasted with disturbing elements. The character of Bree in the series is an example of how the postfeminist world is attempting to negotiate the role of women in society. Her psychology gives reason as to why her life...

Words: 2298 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Final Review

...of Bloom’s Cognitive Taxonomy of higher learning, and how it must be applied to multicultural education. Know this material well! Be able to listen to typical “teacher talk” and match up the levels appropriately. (Building MC Curriculum PPT) a. Level 1: knowledge –lists, label, recite, name, find, and memorize b. Level 2: Comprehension- paraphrase, discover, translate c. Level 3: Application- apply, transfer, generalize, relate, operate d. Level 4: Analysis- deduce, distinguish, dissect, audit, inspect e. Level 5: Synthesis- create, hypothesize, invent imagine, assemble f. Level 6: Evaluation- appraise, evaluate, interpret, predict, justify Study the 13 multicultural dispositions that Dr. T. has based his curriculum for this class on. Be able to quote them (your own words are Ok as long as they are accurate). (PPT a. Not about me, about the lives I serve b. Everyone can learn all my best effort c. Celebrate differences d. Many truths in the world e. Multi-disciplinary makes largest impression f. Analysis of power and privilege needed g. Disagree with being… h. Stay on top of things to always justify i. Show every side, let them decide j. Get thicker skin k. Good intentions are not enough l. First step begins with helping the hurt m. I must be the change Question: According to contemporary anthropologists, is race a stable category for organizing and differentiating the people of our world? (L, F-2) No its not According to the instructor, what...

Words: 6025 - Pages: 25