Alien at the Movies

This film is a realistic but sad reflection of a black man struggling to survive & raise a family in Pittsburg during the 1950's. Denzel Washington directs & stars as Troy, an angry & demanding husband & father toiling as a garbageman who can barely make ends meet. Viola Davis plays his faithful wife Rose who would sacrifice everything for her husband. Troy's old fashion ideas clash with his teenage son's dreams & drives a wedge between them. Troy also has a younger brother (Mykelti Williamson) who struggles with a war injury. Troy's past & secret are revealed a little at a time to give us some insight to his guilt & the chip on his shoulder. Washington & Davis are superb as they spill their guts out. Williamson is convincing as the mental disturbed sibling. Based on a play, this is a dialogue driven story about a stubborn, domineering patriarch & his relationships to his family during some bleak times & a sad commentary on the black family experience in America at that time. Whether we realize it or not, we are is some ways a reflection of our parents.

Alien gives it 3 "the sins of the father" stars out of 4.