Fences” (*** out of four) was an affecting and effective melodrama set in the 1950’s about a working class African-American father (Denzel Washington who also directed) and his various trials and tribulations with his relationship with his wife (Viola Davis) and his son (Jovan Adepo). Less than perfect, with a minimal story that takes a while to take shape and goes on too long, but first-rate acting from all takes center stage and makes this a powerful watch. Washington does an impressive job on both sides of camera, in his own usual excellent performance and drawing strong acting from all others. This was all-too-obviously adapted from a stage play by August Wilson who wrote the script for this as well.