'American Fiction' A Review

American Fiction is a dramedy about Monk(Jeffrey Wright) a professor and frustrated writer who after being put on a leave-of-absence, having his latest book rejected, and a death in the family forcing him to return home to Boston writes My Pafology a melodrama about dead-beat dads and policy brutality, asend-up of the expectations black writers are burdened with. The book generates unprecedent monetary interest which Monk has to morally contend with given his increasing complicated family situation.

Wright, one of the greatest actors living, gives another staller performance. Monk gives him an opportunity to play more grounded, more real, not that he's ever not believable but in genre fair like The Batman or the extremely stylized like The French Dispatch those characters have a bit harder edges. Here he gets to play with and through some interesting socio-economic themes without being preachy or bludgeoning as well as familial responsibility, romance, and grief, and these things don't have any easy or clear answers. Wright, through Monk, is allowed to explore and simply be and he does it with an authenticity and honesty which has defined his career. The supporting cast all give equally dimensional subtle but still provocative performances- Tracee Ellis Ross(in a quietly heartbreaking brief appearance), Sterling K. Brown as Monk's deliciously hedonistic younger brother, Leslie Uggams as Monk's mom with Alzheimer's, just to call out a few.

This debut from writer/director Cord Jefferson is extremely assured, sincere, and effecting but it is not loud. The themes and ideas are explored with humor and heart but we are never left feeling despairing or beaten by it(in contrast to some of this year's other awards contenders). Its thoughtful and perhaps this lack of flash and middle school moral simplicity have not put it in the same conversation as splashier film's like Saltburn or more ostentatious ones like Oppenheimer but it should be. It is, in virtually every aspect, better than most of the "serious" movies released in the last gasp of 2023.

Filmed on location the with a decent but subtle soundtrack and some interesting if restrained editing the production makes it feel real, makes it feel true. It is not smug, it is no pandering, it asks interesting questions and explores them without apology or certainty.

A layered funny, thought-provoking debut from a filmmaker to watch lead by a Wright in his prime.

Currently in theaters, coming soon to VOD.

Don't Miss It.