I thought it was strange the way American Fiction seemed to arrive out of nowhere just in time to snatch up 5 Oscar noms, but after seeing it I've got to admit the praise it's been receiving is well-deserved. The film is terrific, and frequently astonishes with how much it's able to accomplish. It's hard to fathom that it's the director's first effort.

To start, the storylines explored here are surprisingly multi-layered and really make you think about the current state of race relations in America. It tackles mature themes in a way that's both impressively assured and thoroughly captivating, and right away I found myself invested in the plight of the characters. What's perhaps most unexpected of all though is just how refreshingly original and laugh-out-loud hilarious the film is. I honestly can't remember the last time a movie had me laughing this much in the theater.

The script is exceptionally clever, boasting thought-provoking dialogue that's consistently whip-smart and engaging, and it's all brought to life in spectacular fashion by a distinguished cast more than up to the task. Jeffrey Wright in particular offers some truly incredible character work, deftly capturing the complex, nuanced emotions of the jaded and cynical (but genius) protagonist, Thelonious "Monk" Ellison. Wright absolutely murders the role, marking a clear highpoint for his career thus far, and leaving no doubt we'll be seeing a lot more of him in the future.

The last thing I'll say is that I'm glad I went to see this knowing very little about the story. It's the kind of film you excitedly rush to tell your friends about after you see it, a genuine crowd-pleaser you won't forget.

Rating: 9/10.