If you want a double bill. American Fiction will go well with Robert Townsend's semi autobiographical satire of film and television, Hollywood Shuffle.

Based on the novel Erasure by Percival Everett. American Fiction is a satire of black fiction and the stereotypes that publishers want.

Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) is a black writer and college professor. His novels eschew race, they get critical praise but sell poorly. Publishers are not even interested in his latest manuscript. It is not black enough.

Monk is appalled with a bestselling book from Sintara Golden, that has all the black stereotype tropes. The critics and public love it.

In a pique of anger, frustration and as he needs money for his mother's care home fees. Monk knocks out a tawdry story of life in the ghetto as a joke. He uses the pseudonym Stagg R Leigh. A convict from the hood who is on the run.

To both Monk and his agent's surprise. Publishers fall over themselves to publish it, offering a huge advance. A film producer wants to buy the movie rights but wants to meet Stagg.

Monk is reluctant to portray Stagg but is convinced by his agent to go. The film producer is impressed when Stagg flees the meeting when he hears sirens.

When actually Monk ran out because he saw an ambulance and thought his mother might have collapsed.

American Fiction balances Monk's disgust with people falling over his rubbish novel with his own family turmoil. His sister suddenly collapses and dies. His brother came out as gay. His mother has dementia.

I dug American Fiction as I dug Wright's portrayal of Monk. A person who feels increasingly getting angry and frustrated as he gets older. His brother Cliff (Sterling K Brown) questioning the increasing part. Monk was always uptight.

Like Monk, I find myself getting grumpier with age. Even more so with stereotypes being perpetuated in the media. You might see more black and asian faces in the movies and television these days. Do they ever do anything substantial or breakout of their pigeonholed straightjacket?

American Fiction takes an intelligent look at the subject but director Cord Jefferson has issues with the ending. The movie even made a gag about it.