American Fiction – Review

College professor Thelonious ‘Monk’ Ellison (Wright) asks his class, “who wants to start?” and quickly gets a reply from Britney, offended by something on the board. She is offended by the “N” word. She is also white, and in a course about the literature of the South. Monk, who is black, begs her to understand the word in the context that it was written. She doesn’t understand, and leaves the class.

This is part of a string of teaching events for Monk, who is given a “break” or some “mandatory time off” as he is on edge and needs time to relax, per his peers. He returns to Boston and his agent Arthur (Ortiz) hits up him quickly with news that another publisher is passing. Publishers are looking for more “race related” material.

Another black author Sintara Golden (Rae) has just published “We’s Lives in da Ghetto,” which became an instant sensation as a heartbreaking and visceral debut, with potentially a TV adaptation in the works. She wanted to write a work for her people, telling her stories and giving her people representation, which is where her book was born.

Monk listens to her reading an excerpt of Golden’s Ebonics-filled dialogue and stereotypical poor black situations. He is unsure why it receives a standing ovation. He quickly seeks out his sister Lisa (Ross), who helps him reconcile with reality, including their aging mother (Uggams).

From here, a rolling avalanche of insanity is created, as Monk finds his voice in creating a fully satirical book “My Pafology,” which is the antithesis of strong black culture and related arts of work. It is written under a pen name Stagg R. Leigh, and is a strong mockery of the “accepted” tales of black struggle by the greater American culture. Of course it is a hit.

American Fiction is based on a book, and it brings a sharp wit and satire to the world of writing, art and black culture. It has relatable family and life drama, but retains a realistic hilarity around its world observations. It balances real life melancholy with the outlandish world of entertainment, culture and being black in America.

Jeffrey Wright is stellar per usual, though everyone does a great job. Overall, this movie has a great script, great acting, and has a significant amount to say about life for anyone of any color.