TIR Recommends – American Fiction

American Fiction is a satirical drama directed and written by Cord Jefferson.  The film’s cast includes Jeffery Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae,  Leslie Uggams and Erika Alexander.  The main character Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, played by Jeffery Wright, is a college professor and writer who is struggling to sell his work because he refuses to cater to the type of writing the market is currently promoting.

As an attempt to show just how silly and damaging the tropes the industry promotes is, he writes a novel using all those tropes.  This plot point reminded me of Robert Townsend’s Hollywood Shuffle.  He is then surprised at the response his novel receives.  While simultaneously writing this novel, his family is experiencing many changes he must navigate through and learning truths about himself.

The film offers comedy scene to scene and still manages to be a heartfelt drama and thought provoking piece.  Jeffery Wright does an excellent job in his portrayal of Monk as expected; however, my favorite character portrayal was Sterling K. Brown as his brother Cliff.  Brown’s performance was unexpected and unlike previous roles I’ve seen him in before.  Finally, the artistic choices throughout the film were well done in, particular I loved the ending.  I would definitely watch again, I give it 9/10.