{"id":36219,"date":"2024-07-17T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-17T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craigzablo.com\/?p=36219"},"modified":"2024-07-14T17:24:02","modified_gmt":"2024-07-14T21:24:02","slug":"american-fiction-2023-written-directed-by-cord-jefferson-starring-jeffrey-wright-z-view","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craigzablo.com\/?p=36219","title":{"rendered":"“American Fiction” (2023) written & directed by Cord Jefferson, starring Jeffrey Wright \/ Z-View"},"content":{"rendered":"

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American Fiction (2023)\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Director: Cord Jefferson<\/strong><\/p>\n

Screenplay: Cord Jefferson <\/strong>based on ERASURE<\/a> by Percival Everett<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Sterling K. Brown, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Raymond Anthony Thomas, Okieriete Onaodowan, Miriam Shor, J.C. MacKenzie <\/strong>and Keith David.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tagline: None.<\/p>\n

The Plot…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) is a writer and college professor.\u00a0 Monk has had a couple of books published.\u00a0 Although the books were critically praised, they were far from best sellers.\u00a0 Monk’s latest book was turned down with publishers saying it wasn’t “black enough”.<\/p>\n

To compound things, Monk’s mom’s mental health is rapidly deteriorating.\u00a0 It’s clear she’s going to need the support of her family.\u00a0 Monk’s brother just went through a divorce.\u00a0 He won’t be much help.\u00a0 His sister is willing, but there are issues.\u00a0 Monk is feeling the pressure of life bearing down.<\/p>\n

Monk’s exasperation grows when the novel WE’S LIVES IN DA GHETTO makes the best seller list.\u00a0 The novel panders to the lowest common denominator and features typical black stereotypes.\u00a0 Out of frustration, Monk begins writing.\u00a0 His story features everything one would expect in a blaxploitation story – drugs, gangs, a deadbeat dad and a son who couldn’t rise above his surroundings.\u00a0 When Monk is finished he has a book length story.\u00a0 As a joke he submits it under the name Stagg R. Leigh, an ex-con who is one the run from the cops.<\/p>\n

When Monk gets several offers as high as $750,000, he realizes that nobody gets the joke.\u00a0 He tells his editor to decline the deal, but his mother’s bills are adding up.\u00a0 So…<\/p>\n

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

American Fiction\u00a0<\/em>was nominated for five Academy Awards<\/em> and won one…<\/p>\n