American Fiction

"A sharp satire, surprising family drama, and an entertaining structure. Really enjoyed it and love the cast!"

"American Fiction (2023) follows Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a college English professor and African-American novelist disillusioned with the publishing industry's narrow expectations. Despite acclaim within academic circles, his work is criticized for lacking authenticity and not being ‘Black’ enough. Faced with financial pressures due to his mother's illness, Monk takes a daring leap by writing a satirical novel embracing Black literary stereotypes, which unexpectedly catapults him to fame. However, as Monk navigates his newfound popularity, he grapples with the moral dilemma of sacrificing his artistic integrity for continued success, prompting a soul-searching journey of self-discovery. The film's narrative traverses an array of genres, from #dark_comedy and #satire to #family_drama (or #dramedy), reflecting Monk's multifaceted identity and the complexities of his relationships. Notably, Jeffrey Wright's endearing portrayal of Monk, alongside the interactions with his siblings—Lisa, portrayed with wit by Tracee Ellis Ross, and Cliff, brought to life with intricate complexity by Sterling K. Brown—enriches the narrative and adds layers to the evolving storyline. Despite its genre-hopping nature (I had honestly expected a bit more satire), American Fiction offers an enjoyable viewing experience, delivering relatable characters and thought-provoking themes that invite reflection on societal perceptions and our uniqueness as individuals while also celebrating diversity. 🌟7/10🌟"

"3.5"

"Super self reflexive. Academic black man struggles to find fame and fortune but achieves the American dream by writing a satire, which white judges see as “real” and “street”. Funny and sad, and very entertaining. Based on a story by Percival Everett "

"This is a fantastic satire. Highly recommend it!"

"I finally got to watch this 5 star movie. This was so well written and casted that It should be acknowledged first. I love Jeffrey Wright. He is so underrated to me. This movie has so many different messages that relate to family, societal stereotypes, personal struggles, caregiver stress, the black experience and how it's not the same for everyone, and so many more. However, the many messages are delivered flawlessly into this seamless journey of the main flawed character. A+++. I'll be rewatching."

"This was super funny, and I love how cynical the main character, Monk, is."

"This film truly surprised me, and I loved it much more than I expected. An incredibly multi-layered screenplay (being both a character-driven drama as well as a film with incisive social commentary as well) paired with fantastic score and performances from the cast, with Jeffrey Wright in particular standing out, as well as Sterling K Brown. The tonal balancing act this film achieves (juggling pathos and truly biting satire) is truly something to behold. The awards nominations it has been receiving of late is truly well deserved, especially for acting and writing (wouldn’t be surprised if this film is a strong contender for Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars). One of the top 10 films of the year IMO. A very highly recommended watch. P.S.: The fact that Rian Johnson was the film’s executive producer was a cool factoid to discover."

"Jeffrey Wright playing Monk is my absolute favorite. There’s a ton of family drama but there were multiple moments that I played back because I couldn’t stop laughing. This satire has bite and heart. I very much enjoyed the watch."

"This was darkly funny and a riveting masterpiece that asked all the hard questions. It’s a portrait of a complicated life and what can come of having to grapple with one’s identity and race. Great artistic liberties are taken to tell this utterly humorous, yet strongly important, story that could be lived multiple ways. Monk pens a book that starts as a joke and develops into so much more. He learns along the way that being disruptive can change his life immensely as this film becomes a biting social critique on societal structures of power and autonomy. It is timely, fresh, and filled with multiple messages that make us stop in our tracks and come to pivotal realizations about life and ourselves. "