Writer/Director Cord Jefferson takes the novel Erasure by Percival Everett and brings it to satirical life as a showcase for the supreme talent of Jeffery Wright in American Fiction.
American Fiction is many things, a satire, a comedy, a drama, a romance … above all else it’s an adroit showcase for its star Jeffery Wright and its game supporting cast. It’s brilliant debut feature for writer/director Cord Jefferson.
Professor and Novelist Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) can’t seem to get a break. His novels are beautiful but as his agent Arthur (John Ortiz) tells him they’re not “commercial”. This as his mother (Leslie Uggams) has been diagnosed with dementia and will need to be put into a living facility. Monk to add insult to injury sees others he feels are less talented, case in point Sintara Golden (Issa Rae) whose We’s Lives In Da Ghetto is a best seller, thrive both financially and critically. On a lark, Monk begins to write a “Black” book, to which he sends to Arthur. Where Monk finds it a joke Arthur sees dollars. As the duo concoct the “author” of this book and his “narrative” to match, the entire world – including Hollywood take an interest. With a newfound romance (Erika Alexander) and family issues abound will Monk come clean and topple this house of cards he built.
Few actors have been as consistently amazing in the work they bring to the screen than Jeffery Wright. Beginning with a mesmerizing performance in Ang Lee’s Ride with the Devil, Wright has brought the type of uncompromising deeply affecting performances that time and time again have reaffirmed his status as one of the best, if not the best, working actor in America. American Fiction gives us the rarest of treats, Wright as the lead. Monk Ellison is everything that you want in a Wright character – smart, angry, emotive, funny, insular. Monk and American Fiction proves that there isn’t anything that Wright cannot do as he’s allowed to go through the emotional spectrum that never feels out of character. This is beautifully – and hilariously – proven in the final third act that requires Wright to play multiple versions of Monk with the kind of grace that Wright’s biggest fans have come to expect – perfection.
American Fiction is not just a single actor showcase, Wright’s work is complimented by the amazing supporting cast. There isn’t a misstep in the entire film. Every actor comes in and kills their respective roles. Sterling K. Brown almost steals the entire show as Monk’s younger brother who like any sibling gives Monk all the guff, much to Monk’s chagrin. Though it’s the wonderful Erika Alexander as Monk’s possible paramour that lifts the film to a light on its feet unexpected romance. There is enough weight though for Alexander’s Coraline to not be a manic pixie dream woman. Tracy Ellis Ross, Adam Brody, Issa Rae and John Ortiz all show up and provide the kind of excellent work that shows above and beyond they all “understood the assignment”.
Writer/Director Jefferson adapting the novel Erasure by Percival Everett is always a wonderful affair with the smartest of biting commentary. The film isn’t pointing fingers or anything as savage or blunt as that. At its core it is still a drama about a man finding his way later in life after the frustrations of limited success. The brilliance of the film is how Jefferson imbues the satire into the film so intelligently never allowing it to be arched or dull. Take the way that the meeting between Monk and Hollywood Producer played by Brody. The satire comes from character and these two men ridiculously posturing for their own gain. Which is how everything in American Fiction unfolds. Even the Lunch scene between Monk and Sintara is so unexpectedly delightful in its back and forth one cannot help but laugh at the insightfulness from both sides of a particular argument and ends with the best visual and punchline of 2023.
American Fiction is a brilliant piece of dramatic comedy with a huge dash of intelligent satire that should not be missed.
Orion Pictures will release American Fiction in select theaters on Friday, December 15th and the film will expand on December 22nd and widen in January 2024
Writer/Director Cord Jefferson takes the novel Erasure by Percival Everett and brings it to satirical life as a showcase for the supreme talent of Jeffery Wright in American Fiction.
American Fiction is many things, a satire, a comedy, a drama, a romance … above all else it’s an adroit showcase for its star Jeffery Wright and its game supporting cast. It’s brilliant debut feature for writer/director Cord Jefferson.
Professor and Novelist Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) can’t seem to get a break. His novels are beautiful but as his agent Arthur (John Ortiz) tells him they’re not “commercial”. This as his mother (Leslie Uggams) has been diagnosed with dementia and will need to be put into a living facility. Monk to add insult to injury sees others he feels are less talented, case in point Sintara Golden (Issa Rae) whose We’s Lives In Da Ghetto is a best seller, thrive both financially and critically. On a lark, Monk begins to write a “Black” book, to which he sends to Arthur. Where Monk finds it a joke Arthur sees dollars. As the duo concoct the “author” of this book and his “narrative” to match, the entire world – including Hollywood take an interest. With a newfound romance (Erika Alexander) and family issues abound will Monk come clean and topple this house of cards he built.
Few actors have been as consistently amazing in the work they bring to the screen than Jeffery Wright. Beginning with a mesmerizing performance in Ang Lee’s Ride with the Devil, Wright has brought the type of uncompromising deeply affecting performances that time and time again have reaffirmed his status as one of the best, if not the best, working actor in America. American Fiction gives us the rarest of treats, Wright as the lead. Monk Ellison is everything that you want in a Wright character – smart, angry, emotive, funny, insular. Monk and American Fiction proves that there isn’t anything that Wright cannot do as he’s allowed to go through the emotional spectrum that never feels out of character. This is beautifully – and hilariously – proven in the final third act that requires Wright to play multiple versions of Monk with the kind of grace that Wright’s biggest fans have come to expect – perfection.
American Fiction is not just a single actor showcase, Wright’s work is complimented by the amazing supporting cast. There isn’t a misstep in the entire film. Every actor comes in and kills their respective roles. Sterling K. Brown almost steals the entire show as Monk’s younger brother who like any sibling gives Monk all the guff, much to Monk’s chagrin. Though it’s the wonderful Erika Alexander as Monk’s possible paramour that lifts the film to a light on its feet unexpected romance. There is enough weight though for Alexander’s Coraline to not be a manic pixie dream woman. Tracy Ellis Ross, Adam Brody, Issa Rae and John Ortiz all show up and provide the kind of excellent work that shows above and beyond they all “understood the assignment”.
Writer/Director Jefferson adapting the novel Erasure by Percival Everett is always a wonderful affair with the smartest of biting commentary. The film isn’t pointing fingers or anything as savage or blunt as that. At its core it is still a drama about a man finding his way later in life after the frustrations of limited success. The brilliance of the film is how Jefferson imbues the satire into the film so intelligently never allowing it to be arched or dull. Take the way that the meeting between Monk and Hollywood Producer played by Brody. The satire comes from character and these two men ridiculously posturing for their own gain. Which is how everything in American Fiction unfolds. Even the Lunch scene between Monk and Sintara is so unexpectedly delightful in its back and forth one cannot help but laugh at the insightfulness from both sides of a particular argument and ends with the best visual and punchline of 2023.
American Fiction is a brilliant piece of dramatic comedy with a huge dash of intelligent satire that should not be missed.
Orion Pictures will release American Fiction in select theaters on Friday, December 15th and the film will expand on December 22nd and widen in January 2024
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