American Fiction
"No Full Review
Based on the book, "Erasure" by <PERSON>, "American Fiction" follows a cynical writer, "<PERSON>" (<PERSON>), who continues to see the success of more stereotypical literature based around African Americans and decides, as a joke, to write the most pandering, half-assed "Black" book imaginable. However, that book proceeds to garner acclaim and success, which he's never quite experienced before.
Written and directed by <PERSON> ("The Good Place", "Watchmen"), "American Fiction" is simple in premise, though it's much more complicated than it first appears on the surface. It's a very smart, really hilarious, and biting satire on how people see African American stories. <PERSON> is as outstanding as he usually is, giving one of his best performances with flawlessly dry comedic timing and moments of heart that prevent him from becoming too much of a downer of a character. 378
Other great performances include <PERSON> (as "<PERSON>", <PERSON>'s sister), <PERSON> (as "<PERSON>", <PERSON>'s emotionally damaged brother), <PERSON> (as <PERSON>'s mentally deteriorating mother), and <PERSON> (as "<PERSON>", an author who finds more success than <PERSON> with her book titled "We's Lives in Da Ghetto"). The film is scathing in how it portrays reactions to racially based culture, though it's not a one-sided "Good vs. Bad" argument. There might be a little too much going on at times and I can see the ambiguity behind the ending confusing others, but the performances, the sharp writing, and the expert mixing between tones consisting of heartfelt and laugh out loud hilarity are some of this year's absolute best." 529