With Fences, Denzel Washington directs a loyal adaptation of a landmark work of American theater: August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. The film centers around Troy Maxson (Washington), a garbage collector in 1950s Pittsburgh. His life has been shaped by racist systems, so he operates by his own deeply felt codes, sometimes to the detriment of his family. Viola Davis plays his wife Rose, his supporter and foil. Both Washington and Davis are reprising roles they played on Broadway, for which they both won Tonys; the screen hasn’t diminished the power of their blistering performances, though. To that point: Davis is favored to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
The film opens wide on Christmas, but if you’re in Chicago you can see it on December 20 thanks to The A.V. Club. To get passes, just enter your information here. These screenings tend to overbook so get there early to guarantee seats. You can watch the trailer below.