Dry, witty, ironic satire is a tough trick to pull off in a film these days. There's a good chance that the filmmakers will alienate and offend as much as they entertain, but when done right, it can be a very effective way to present a subject.
Such is the case with Cord Jefferson's AMERICAN FICTION a very funny and effective satire/dark comedy on the white perception of the black experience in America.
Starring Oscar Nominated Jeffrey Wright as writer Thelonius "Monk' Elisson a learned, Academic writer on the Black experience in America as seen through the eyes of a black academic. When none of his thoughtfully written books make much of a dent on the best seller list, "Monk" assumes a pseudonym and - as a joke - writes a book about the black experience in America that has every stereotype of that experience that white America would expect. Of course, THAT is the book that becomes the runaway best seller.
The smart script (that shows, rather than tells and is not particularly interested in tying up all the scripts loose ends and handing it to the audience) and direction of the same type by Jefferson (who is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay - his script is based on the book ERASURE by Percival Everett) is ably rendered by a performance by Wright that is just as smart and wry - without going over the top. It is a career-best performance by Wright...and that's saying something because Wright has been very good in very many things.
The supporting cast is just as strong with Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortega, Erika Alexander and Leslie Uggams (yes...Leslie Uggams!) all contributing to the overall sensibility of the film, understanding the fine line they are walking between comedy, drama and satire. Only Sterling K. Brown (who is Oscar nominated for Best Supporting Actor) comes close to crossing the line into caricature, but that can be forgiven as his outlandish behavior is also a satire.
All-in-all, a wonderfully dry, comedic and SMART film - the type of film that is in short supply these days.
Letter Grade A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Such is the case with Cord Jefferson's AMERICAN FICTION a very funny and effective satire/dark comedy on the white perception of the black experience in America.
Starring Oscar Nominated Jeffrey Wright as writer Thelonius "Monk' Elisson a learned, Academic writer on the Black experience in America as seen through the eyes of a black academic. When none of his thoughtfully written books make much of a dent on the best seller list, "Monk" assumes a pseudonym and - as a joke - writes a book about the black experience in America that has every stereotype of that experience that white America would expect. Of course, THAT is the book that becomes the runaway best seller.
The smart script (that shows, rather than tells and is not particularly interested in tying up all the scripts loose ends and handing it to the audience) and direction of the same type by Jefferson (who is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay - his script is based on the book ERASURE by Percival Everett) is ably rendered by a performance by Wright that is just as smart and wry - without going over the top. It is a career-best performance by Wright...and that's saying something because Wright has been very good in very many things.
The supporting cast is just as strong with Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortega, Erika Alexander and Leslie Uggams (yes...Leslie Uggams!) all contributing to the overall sensibility of the film, understanding the fine line they are walking between comedy, drama and satire. Only Sterling K. Brown (who is Oscar nominated for Best Supporting Actor) comes close to crossing the line into caricature, but that can be forgiven as his outlandish behavior is also a satire.
All-in-all, a wonderfully dry, comedic and SMART film - the type of film that is in short supply these days.
Letter Grade A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)