American Fiction

 

 

       Directed by Cord Jefferson (who also wrote the screenplay), this new comedy-drama is a biting satire with a not so subtle underlying of truth.

       Jeffrey Wright stars as Thelonius "Monk" Ellison, a serious writer who takes some non-voluntary time off from teaching to visit his family and attend a book conference. "Monk' has not published in some time and is bitter and cynical about the state of modern American fiction. Using a pen name, he decides to write a "street" book as a joke to illustrate the sad state of contemporary fiction, and no one is more surprised than him when the book takes off and is hailed a masterpiece.

       Mr. Wright is marvelous as "Monk". His sublime physical reactions to the madness occurring around him is just one of his strengths as an actor. He handles the comedic moments as deftly as the dramatic ones. Co-starring with Mr. Wright are Tracee Ellis Ross, as his sister, Leslie Uggams (yes, Leslie Uggams) as his mother, John Ortiz as his book agent, Myra Lucretia Taylor as the family housekeeper, Erika Alexander as a potential love interest, Issa Rae as another author and Sterling K. Brown as "Monk's brother, Cliff. Ms. Uggams is a lovely surprise addition to the cast and Mr. Brown sheds his "This Is Us" personality in an entire new way.

        The film is very smart and the satire sharp as a knife. While it has its share of dramatic and even sad moments, it is also very funny with great dialog and situations that get more absurd as the "book" keeps gaining in popularity. And through it all, Mr. Wright tries hard to maintain his sanity right up to the moment of a very clever ending.

        One of the best films of the year that I hope finds a wide audience.