A high-minded but disillusioned writer and academic writes a book intended as derisive and mocking toward literary critics' notion of black culture. Much to his surprise, the book is taken seriously by publishers and becomes a massive commercial success. Although he finds his ideals being thrown to the wind, his financial situation brightens considerably as his aging mother needs to be taken care of and his family as a whole remains fractious.

Jeffrey Wright is at his best here as a weary voice of reason who finds himself overwhelmed by sudden and unexpected success. He's in good company of strong supporting work. Issa Rae is another prominent writer whose books about black culture are hailed by critics, but whose work Wright's protagonist views as condescending and vacuous. Sterling Brown is likeable and funny as the writer's rebellious brother who has never felt at home in the family. Erika Alexander is the writer's new love interest. Adam Brody is the glib white movie director who sees the new book as a moviemaking opportunity. John Ortiz is a literary agent who makes one of the film's most sharp-witted arguments when he compares books to different brands of scotch.

An ear for social commentary as well as a sympathetic take on family relationships and a decidedly negative view of Hollywood makes this a strong contemporary film. A fun to watch movie which finds a great balance between the seriousness of the central topic of black recognition in society on the one side and a witty fun display of the struggle of life and relationships. Most fun to watch is a surprising twist which makes the movie even more likeable. Strongly recommended.