“American Fiction” Review

The opening moments of American Fiction make it seem like it will be a very different film than it is. Right from the start, it engages in satire I found brutally hilarious, and that set the stage for the kind of comedy that sets its targets and refuses to pull punches. Indeed, the film, based on Percival Everett’s novel Erasure, is a scathing look at the publishing industry, especially in regard to African-American literature. It is definitely worth noting that the novel was published not long after Spike Lee’s incendiary film about African-American representation on television, Bamboozled, a film I admire despite some very notable flaws, and I was ready for something along those lines. Instead, I got something more, and while it may not always work, it’s certainly a film worth seeing.

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison is a man at the end of his rope. As a writer of color, his books either aren’t selling or aren’t being published, because neither publishers nor audiences see what his takes on mythology have to do with the African-American experience. (When told by his agent that publishers want a “Black book” he responds that they have one: “I’m black, and it’s my book.”) Meanwhile, the most acclaimed book out right now by an African-American is Sintara Golden’s We’s Lives in Da Ghetto, much to Monk’s anger. As a professor, he can barely discuss historical readings without his white students becoming uncomfortable at discussions and language involving historical racism against minorities, and his behavior in response results in him being given time off. As an estranged member of his family, unexpected circumstances leave him in desperate need of a lot of money. Fed up, he writes a joke novel entitled My Pafology under the pseudonym Stagg R. Leigh that presents a blatantly stereotypical look at ghetto life, and sends it off to his publisher. Of course, they buy it, and Monk now has to balance his immediate need for success with his increasing discontent with the situation he has created.

The first thing of note is that Jeffrey Wright is absolutely perfect in the role of Monk. I love him as an actor, and this film is no exception, as he perfectly conveys both the comedic and dramatic aspects of the story. What really surprised me is just how universal some of the film was. This isn’t just a film about race and representation, but also about being an industry creative as a whole, balancing ambitions with market forces, and maybe even realizing your own flaws in what you expect from your audience. Some of my favorite moments in the film were more about writing than they were about satire. (As a creator myself, the scene in which Monk writes My Pafology was a beauty to behold.)

In fact, I felt that the film’s biggest flaw was the satire itself. I’m not saying it’s bad. This film can be hilarious in its skewering of the media and how liberal White Americans respond to stories of the African-American experience, with Miriam Shor and Michael Cyril Creighton delivering some of the film’s funniest moments as the publishers of My Pafology (Shor’s character in particular has art of Ruth Bader Ginsburg displayed proudly on her office wall in a perfectly-timed shot). This would be great if it kept that tone for the entire movie, but for a lot of it, it’s a pretty grounded drama, and the results of the combination are mixed. Sometimes, there are moments when the film flows from comedy to conflict in an instant, before ending with a gutbuster of a punchline. Other times, scenes feel more like comedy sketches inserted into an awards contender. (Notably, the trailer I kept seeing for this film limited itself to only the satirical and comedic moments, which definitely impacted my experience.) I also felt that the ending was a tad clunky (even if it is definitely spot-on).

That said, the script is at times phenomenal, and without giving too much away, Monk’s character feels fully fleshed out and develops during the story, as opposed to simply being a catalyst to mock the film’s targets. It definitely sets it above some other comparable works I’ve seen, and really is a film that puts heart above harshness. Anyone who’s a creative should definitely consider checking this out. It’s scathingly funny, heartwarming, thought-provoking, and mostly well-written. If it had nailed the tone a bit more, this would’ve been one of my favorite films of the year, but it’s certainly recommended as-is.