Opinion: American Fiction is a cinematic win

American Fiction film posterPhoto byCarol Durant

I was invited to go to the movies by one of my favorite people. I left the house to go to see a movie, at a movie theater! A formally independent movie house that is now owned by a small movie theater chain which thankfully had a matinee of American Fiction. I had not heard of the film before, but after accepting the invite, I hopped onto the Internet and found the name of the film and starring Jeffrey Wright. Mr. Wright is a brilliant actor on screen and stage, therefore, it was another reason to attend with my friend.

Mr. Wright is the protagonist in American Fiction and he is its solar system. He's an author and academic who has a stalled literary career. His family, friends, literary agent and associates are planets that decidedly or unwittingly are in his orbit after deleterious life circumstances. He brings them fire, warmth or cool temperatures in every scene. Mr. Wright is overtly and covertly mesmerizing with his thoughts and emotions about himself, his circumstance and society at large. Mr. Wright's talented cast members include Leslie Uggams, Sterling K. Brown, Tracie Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae, John Ortiz and Adam Brody.

American Fiction, which is a dramedy, reminds me of Get Out, the 2017 award winning film, written and directed by Jordan Peele. American Fiction, brilliantly directed and written by Cord Jefferson, comedically filets the horrors and perceptions of hues of society, black people specifically. Mr. Jefferson deftly spotlights the repeated demonic assignation of cultural stereotypes with and as hashtags are a detriment to us all. Your range of emotions may internally or externally rival or surpass what is presented on screen.

American Fiction will eventually be streaming on Amazon Prime, but I strongly suggest going to the movie theater for a change of pace. I'm adding American Fiction to my all time list of must see films.