Review - American Fiction
Directed by: Cord Jefferson
Written by: Cord Jeffersone
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K Brown
Running Time: 117 minutes
Rating: 4/5
Cord Jefferson's directorial debut, American Fiction, feels like the kind of film that is going to stay in our collective memory for a while. It’s not just that it’s funny (which it is!), it’s just very incisive writing, dripping in sarcasm and acerbic wit, delivery hard-to-swallow truths with an ease you’d expect from someone much more seasoned.
Based on Percival Everett's novel Erasure, Jeffrey Wright rightfully takes center stage as Thelonious Ellison, or Monk, a character frustrated by the persistent prevalence of racial tropes surrounding slavery, drugs, and suffering. Now if you know one thing about author Percival Everett is that being stereotyped or placed into a box isn’t something that’s easy to do at all when you consider his body of work and the comfort he can go from writing westerns to children’s book to mythology. You can see the DNA of his nuanced and careful stories in American Fiction, when Monk’s purist thought is face with unavoidable pragmatism.
When confronted with the intertwined challenges of family tragedy and financial desperation, Monk finds himself compelled to make compromises and sell out, initiating a nuanced exploration of the delicate balance between personal convictions and the harsh demands of reality. American Fiction, at its essence, fearlessly embarks on a journey into the multifaceted dimensions of what it truly means to sell out. Drawing inspiration from cinematic gems such as The Producers and Bamboozled, the film skillfully invites its audience to delve into profound questions that transcend the superficial layers of storytelling.
As the narrative unfolds, the spotlight rightfully falls on Jeffrey Wright's masterful portrayal of Thelonious Ellison, aka Monk. Wright's pitch-perfect performance not only commands the screen but also becomes the gravitational force around which the ensemble cast orbits. In this orbit, Tracee Ellis Ross makes the most of her relatively short amount of screen time and effortlessly matches Wright's brilliance, infusing her character with a blend of humor and directness that radiates a magnetic charisma. The synergy extends further with standout performances from Sterling K Brown and Issa Rae, leaving an indelible mark through their compelling portrayals that act as poignant foils to Monk's struggles.
Particularly noteworthy is Issa Rae's character, Sintara Golden, whose presence becomes a catalyst for Monk's self-reflection on entrenched assumptions and stereotypes. This dynamic adds layers of complexity to the narrative, challenging not only Monk's worldview but also prompting the audience to reassess their own preconceptions about race and representation.
The film's third act takes an unexpected turn, serving as a narrative pivot that surprises and engages viewers. This twist serves as a thought-provoking artifact, compelling all involved parties—both within the fictional world and the audience—to confront their own complicity in the creation of media and storytelling. The screenplay feels fun and loose, a refreshing attempt in juxtaposition to much of the storytelling we’ve been getting from movies in the last decade or so. Cord Jefferson's transition from notable television works like Watchmen, Succession, and Station Eleven to the big screen is not just seamless but pleasantly surprising, demonstrating his ability to translate complex narratives to broader audiences.
American Fiction transcends the boundaries of mere entertainment; it becomes a catalyst for introspection, inviting audiences to confront their biases and engage in a deeper exploration of our collective conversations about representation in media. The film stands as a powerful reminder that these dialogues are not static but continually evolving. Cord Jefferson's directorial debut emerges as a substantial contribution, challenging us to reevaluate the narratives echoing in our society and sparking a necessary dialogue about the ever-evolving landscape of media representation. In essence, American Fiction becomes more than a film; it transforms into a dynamic force, igniting transformative discussions and reshaping perceptions in the ever-evolving tapestry of cinematic storytelling.
