Cook review: ‘American Fiction’ rings true with comedy, drama

Now you have a chance to see a movie with great wit, humor and smarts – one of the best of 2023.

“American Fiction” is a dramedy about a literature professor called Monk (Jeffrey Wright,

Monk has all kinds of issues in his life. His mother (Leslie Uggams) is in the first stages of dementia. Is time to provide her with ‘round-the-clock care? Monk will be forced to make some decisions about that as he also will be forced to deal with some surprises about his brother (a marvelous Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us.”)

Meanwhile, Monk is frustrated as both a professor and an author whose specialty is reworking Ancient Greek plays. Because he is Black, his books end up listed under “African American fiction” in bookstores.

He considers the work of another Black author (Issa Rae, “Insecure”) whose writing, he thinks, panders to audiences.

In an “I’ll-show-them” moment, Monk considers using a pseudonym – Stagg R. Leigh –  to write a story that will be what readers want from Black authors.  In the meantime, events beyond his control continue to turn his world upside-down.

This is a terrific ensemble piece/social commentary that’s based on the 2001 novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett. I could watch Wright in any film. He’s a master of subtlety who brings Monk to multi-dimensional life at every turn.

Cord Jefferson wrote and directed this movie that’s earned an Oscar nod for its screenplay and for Best Picture.

It wouldn’t be fair to tell you too much about the way the film ends. Suffice it to say that it probably won’t go the way you think it will, and that it will twist your brain a lot toward the finale when it reveals some truths about American society.

4 stars

Rated: R for drug abuse, racial slurs and foul language.

Running time: Just a couple of minutes shy of two hours.

At Cinemark and The Last Picture House, Davenport.

Watch the trailer here.

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