Review of American Fiction

I remember seeing the trailer for American Fiction over a year ago and thinking this was a biting take on the state of publishing today and while I had an idea of where they were going, this far exceeded every expectation. Jeffrey Wright is, once again, such an exceptional talent and handles the role of an exasperated author with deft hands. Wright's " Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison" is joined by a cast of characters where each performance is as strong as the next. His siblings, portrayed by Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown provide a much needed counter balance to Monk's uptight and pretentious demeanor. Monk's mother is played by the legendary Leslie Uggams, in a heartbreaking role, but underscores an issue that many families are navigating. American Fiction is tackles race, family, loss, and the frustration of the creative process in a cynical world. It hits on many levels and most people in the audience will find something to take away from it.