American Fiction - A Movie Review

Literature changes the world.

American Fiction is a 2023 film based on the 2001 novel Erasure. Thelonious ‘Monk’ Ellison is fed up with profiting ‘Black’ entertainment. When he is in financial need, Ellison uses a pen name to write a book that propels him into the madness of pop culture.

How do we perceive literature? American Fiction is a well-directed film centered on the world of writing, one of my favorite topics. This film is more than what its premise is based on. Delving into a topic at the forefront of societal conversations for decades, American Fiction masterfully navigates the story's complexities.

Jeffrey Wright leads the cast with an impeccable performance as Thelonious ‘Monk’ Ellison. Monk has to mask a risky demeanor for the publicity of his book which is a contrast to his respectable nature. Surprisingly, he is more popular among the crowd than he anticipated. Wright did an outstanding job with this character’s story and his changing personality.

The entire ensemble delivers top-notch performance. In a short time, Tracee Ellis Ross did great as Lisa. I felt like I knew her and missed her presence. John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, and several more bore excellent chemistry.

Sterling K. Brown is a highlight as Monk’s irresponsible brother, Clifford. He was the film’s comic relief. Speaking of the comedy, the film is funny. The crowd in my theater had a good time laughing at Monk’s act. I laughed more than I expected. The film is a satire.

In my opinion, Clifford could have had more of an impact on the story instead of having disappeared and reappeared countless times just to mess something else up. The brother relationship needed more evolution.

At the heart of American Fiction lies a profound question: How do we perceive literature and ourselves? In his directorial debut, Cord Jefferson paced the film well. He uses brilliant and subtle devices to achieve perspective and develop multi-layered narratives. Themes are explored thoroughly.

The film is not just about Monk’s book persona, but it’s a family drama with relatable themes. Monk has a difficult time looking after his aging mother. The film addresses societal stereotypes about family dynamics, sexuality, and self-discovery.

One of the best scenes that Jefferson thought up himself was Ellison’s vision of his story at play. This is my favorite scene. What writer doesn’t think like this? Ellison asks his characters about the story’s direction and if the language or topic could upset people. The actors elevated the scene turning it into a more serious depiction.

Writers are in for a treat. The film focuses on the publishing world. We have to listen to our hearts one what we want to include in stories. Don’t let publishing companies exclude topics that hold value to you. Perspective plays a big part in literature, especially when you’re talking about race.

The film navigates the complexities of race by delving into various subjects within society and culture. The film adeptly navigates the complexities of race, presenting a nuanced perspective that avoids simplistic stereotypes.

Race is a sensitive topic but it’s necessary to transform it into a narrative that we can all relate to. You have to watch these movies with a different lens to understand the themes at play.

As Oscar season is underway, go see American Fiction. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this film. The crowd in my theater laughed a lot and so did I. Several audience members discussed the film at its conclusion. That’s the important part about films. They make you think.