#AmericanFiction was the Opening Night Film for the 32nd PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
in attendance, Screenwriter and first time director, Cord Jefferson.
The Philadelphia Film Society Artistic Director, Michael Lerman moderated the post screening Q&A.
T&T #MiniMovieReview: OPPENHEIMER is the best film I've seen all year in terms of overall scope and technical direction, but AMERICAN FICTION is the best film I've seen all year in terms of real characters, relatability, my kind of humor and total engagement!
I was never one to pay much attention to the prolific actor Jeffrey Wright, didn't have anything against him, just never dialed in, but then again, I've never seen him in a leading role. He's fantastic as frustrated author, Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a man who has written critically acclaimed novels in the past, having somehow been able to write about things not of the perceived "black experience", but his editor (John Ortiz) can't get any interest generated for Monk's latest book. The publishers are eager for material that is "raw" & "honest", something with a "black voice". His dissent into jokingly giving them what they want follows a very humorous rabbit hole.
But what really makes the film sing is his new romantic relationship with a neighbor (Erika Alexander) and Monk's distant relationships with his family, sister (Tracee Ellis Ross) brother (Sterling K. Brown) and mother (Leslie Uggams). This is the part I really related too - drifting apart from your siblings during your adulthood happens, but then needing to work together to make decisions for an aging parent; it creates brand new relationships with these people you've known all your life and it's far from easy. But it will make you really see your family, and hopefully, eventually, for the better.
I don't want it to seem like the movie is all drama, it's far from that. Based on the book "Erasure" by Percival Everett, first time director Cord Jefferson finds every nuanced moment of humor, which had me laughing out loud throughout.
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