Writer/Director: Cord Jefferson
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
‘Captivating Comedy’
Stories penned by minorities are scarcely recognized by the publishing industry. The publishing profession has built tight barriers against stories black authors write in spotlight. In an industry favoring little women, black writers face discrimination. African Americans rarely achieve appreciation for publishing an adaptation. On a personal level, I find black authors’ struggle relatable. Ever since I was a wallflower teenager, I wanted to be a writer. During my childhood, I began writing about filmmaking. At an early age, I loved to engage with words on the page. I inherited love for literature from my grandfather that was a Pakistani author. Fascinated with filmmaking, I expressed opinions on movies through writing. As silver linings in darkness, reviews ensured my happiness. When my movie reviews were submitted to a magazine in America, I pursued passion for Cinema. I seized opportunities to write for a magazine that promoted movies. I became almost famous writing for a magazine which was precious. However, publishers ruined dreams forever. Life turned sideways when editors treated me in cruel ways. Facing barriers that were rough, I was informed my reviews weren’t good enough. Forced to get out, I doubted dreams I was passionate about. To do the right thing, I created my own website where I could showcase writing. I gained awareness of struggles faced by black authors seeking pursuit of happiness. Years later, I wonder if race was a barrier affecting my career as a writer.
As a member of marginalized communities impacted by rejection in film criticism professions, I connected to Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction”. An inspirational, heartwarming and sweeping comedy, it captures hardships African American authors endure in publishing industries. Cord Jefferson celebrates black authors in publishing professions. Boasting stunning set-design, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a captivating comedy. Although “American Fiction” is unforgettable, it isn’t flawless. It’s unevenly paced, suffering from family tragedy subplots. Nevertheless, it offers meaningful entertainment for satire fans.
Adapting the novel “Erasure”, “American Fiction” follows an African American writer publishing literature. Jeffrey Wright embodies Monk, an author whose ability to write experiences plight. Monk is frustrated by books being rejected in industries where stereotypes are adopted. However, Monk’s life changes after writing an offensive book about black stereotypes that becomes a global sensation. Attracting media attention, Monk questions passion for professions featuring discrimination.
Cord Jefferson is fascinated with discrimination. His series “Masters of None” examined lesbians’ discrimination. With “American Fiction”, however, Jefferson crafts a satire. It’s the filmmaker’s attempt capturing black authors, but he succeeds. Evoking Todd McCarthy’s “Spotlight”, Jefferson uses low-key lighting capturing journalists that write. Visually, it’s a feast for eyes as stunning as books Monk seeks to devise. Low-key lighting elevates the scene where Monk envisions book characters interacting. It sparked joyous memories of my love for writing in isolated rooms removed from family. Low-key lighting is tricky. As Stephen Chobsky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” suggested, lighting elevate adaptations. Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” proved low-key lighting enhance crime dramas. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Alongside cinematographer Cristina Dunlap, Jefferson honors authors. Jefferson celebrates writing, creating theatrical viewing.
If African American authors don’t attract attention, however, there’s reasons to see “American Fiction”. From a technical point-of-view, the film is so well-made it’s hard to believe it’s a debut. Assisted by production-designer Jonathan Guggenheim, Jefferson designs sets blurring reality and fiction. For instance, set-design elevates the rejection scene. During this unforgettable scene, Monk is disappointed when his book’s ending is rejected by producers demanding it be reinvented. One appreciates set-design recalling Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women”. Like offices where Jo’s book is rejected by publishers, Monk faces barriers. Through set-design, Jefferson captures how race is a barrier that black authors face in the workplace. It reminded me of my frustrations when my movie reviews were rejected by a magazine I appreciated. Moreover, music is magnificent. Evoking Jordan Peele’s “Get Out”, it’s hard to not rave about. Through awe-inspiring set-design, Jefferson commemorates Africa-American authors.
Another extraordinary “American Fiction” aspect is storytelling. Jefferson’s screenwriting strength is evoking empathy for black authors through tragicomedy. In Hollywood, movies rarely address stress impacting black employees’ success. As a case in point: Gabriele Muccino’s “The Pursuit of Happiness” portrayed black salesmen achieving pursuit of happiness. Thankfully, however, “American Fiction” avoids pitfalls. Evoking Charlie Kaufmann’s “Adaptation”, Jefferson uses tragicomedy to capture authors penning adaptations. Occasionally, the film is hilarious depicting racist stereotypes Monk faces in the publishing industry. However, the film is also sad in portrayals of Monk’s dysfunctional family. Tragicomedy elevates the scene where Monk feels mixture of emotions at books being celebrated by publishers. Tragicomedy is tricky. It’s challenging to infuse humor into a subject as serious as racism. As David O. Russel’s “Silver Linings Playbook” suggested, tragicomedy elevates bipolar movies. Spike Lee’s “BlackKklansman” demonstrated tragicomedy elevates period pieces. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Through a spectacular screenplay, Jefferson commemorates African-American communities today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Jeffrey Wright delivers a career-defining performance as Monk. Wright achieved appreciation by playing the devoted assistant of James Bond in the Bond franchise. It’s challenging embodying an African American author battling racism in publishing industries, but he succeeds. Evoking Paul Giamatti in Alexander Payne’s “Sideways”, Wright embodies a compelling author whose life turns sideways when publishers treat him in cruel ways. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, frustrations and resentments of an African American author seeking success in writing. It’s a phenomenal performance.
The supporting cast is superb, crafting strong bonds. Sterling K. Brown is brilliant, bringing charismatic acknowledgements towards Monk’s caring queer brother that motivates him to pursue passions for writing. Issa Rae is remarkable, depicting a bold writer whose books on black people attain sale. Lastly, John Oritz merits acknowledgements. As Monk’s agent, he’s hilarious.
Finally, “American Fiction” is worth watching for honoring black communities seeking to do the right thing. Evoking Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing”, it sheds light on black peoples’ plight. It tackles themes including career, family and racism. Viewers aren’t required to be African American to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message affecting everyone forming writing passions at an early age. Therefore, “American Fiction” is a appealing book that everyone would enjoy reading.
Despite its universal message, however, “American Fiction” can’t honor books written by black authors leaping off the page. Jefferson’s decisions integrating subplots about family tragedy into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty decision, scenes capturing Monk’s interactions with aging parents aren’t as engaging as his journey of writing. Whereas this family subplot elevated Trey Edward Shults’ “Waves”, it clashes with this film’s focus. As Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty” suggested, subplots about families elevate suburban drama movies. In a film highlighting the publishing profession, it’s nothing more than a distracting diversion. Consequently, “American Fiction” falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of fictional satires will appreciate “American Fiction” and so will movie-goers giving acknowledgements to writing. A captivating comedy, it celebrates African-American authors that pursue happiness in the publishing industry. An astonishing portrayal of dire discrimination experienced by black writers seeking acknowledgements for publishing American fiction, it could motivate marginalized minorities to treasure institutionalization writing passions.
A sensational depiction of the plight faced by black writers whose stories seldom achieve spotlight, it’s a stirring reminder about struggles of African-American authors seeking to write stories that aren’t white.
Like precious books that little women publish, it’s a powerful reminder of the positive impact passion for literature has on black authors that accomplish success in industries where minorities rarely flourish.
If movies can create compassion for black authors rarely gaining appreciations penning an adaptation, hopefully it would inspire people to treasure people of color in a white publishing profession.
As powerful as Monk’s passion for writing, it has motivated me to move on years after being rejected by a magazine that` didn’t consider my work worth reading by honoring long-lasting love for writing about filmmaking I never stopped pursuing.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 