Viewers will gravitate to different sections of this story because of how rich it is in text, yet also because of how unique it is in execution. Jeffrey Wright, who's normally seen as an enjoyable supporting actor, takes the helm of this film and leads it convincingly. His character's repeated desire to be seen and validated is opposite from the crafty, suspenseful roles that I'm used to seeing from Wright, which became more impressive as the character's vulnerabilities started to flesh out. The film asks an important question that seems to be embedded within the larger scope of social commentary. "Why do you do what you do? And, why do you feel the way you feel based on what you do?" There's a psychological battle between doing something because it's "good" vs. Doing something because it provides opportunities, and then there's the sliver of possibility to intertwine the two of them. The family dynamic is the emotional crux of this story, showcasing moments that are abruptly raw and realistic while using connection as the focal point of transformation in Wright's character arc. The story is sharp, clever, and aware of the message that it's trying to share. In comparison to films with similar intentions, "American Fiction" leans heavily on the satirical tone to explore race and identity while visibly using comedy to approach the subject as universally as possible.