AMERICAN FICTION Movie Review **SPOILER ALERT**

Gay homosexuals Nick and Joseph spoil American Fiction - a 2023 American comedy drama film written and directed by Cord Jefferson.
Premise: A novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.
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Cast:
Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious "Monk" Ellison
Tracee Ellis Ross as Lisa Ellison
Issa Rae as Sintara Golden
Sterling K. Brown as Clifford "Cliff" Ellison
John Ortiz as Arthur
Erika Alexander as Coraline
Adam Brody as Wiley
Leslie Uggams as Agnes Ellison
Myra Lucretia Taylor as Lorraine
Okieriete Onaodowan as Van Go Jenkins
Keith David as Willy the Wonker
Raymond Anthony Thomas as Maynard
Miriam Shor as Paula Bateman
J. C. MacKenzie as Carl Brunt
Patrick Fischler as Mandel
Michael Cyril Creighton as John Bosco
Cinematography by Cristina Dunlap
Edited by Hilda Rasula
Music by Laura Karpman
Premise: ending explained, reaction video, trailer, Erasure, Percival Everett, Orion Pictures, Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, People's Choice Award, Hollywood Shuffle

[@justingerald]

I am a Black professor and author who writes about racism in education, and this movie hit waaaaay too close to home.

[@sisterstaketoo1981]

I thought the housekeeper getting married was so heartwarming ❤❤❤

[@TalkSickMass]

It's also heartbreaking because she was like a mother to Monk compared to his own mom.

[@bryanalstoncoxing]

Yeah I teared up during the wedding, their romance was so cute

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Yes! Favorite part of the movie, because we so rarely see older characters get to celebrate their love. I'm tired of rom coms only about the under 30 set, it's nice to see something closer to my reality

[@cindyr4918]

I laughed so hard when you said “This is the movie Tyler Perry would have made if he was a better writer and a better filmmaker.” Yesssss, so true! There is so much to unpack in this movie; the thing I loved the most is how the question of identity is explored with each of the family members. Cliff being gay, the mom losing hers against her will, Monk taking on a fake literary persona, and even the sister (she said she lived a life she was proud of in the letter Monk read; I wish she had lived and been around to challenge her brothers about the choices they were making). This movie was so well done!

[@LynneJordan11]

Jeffrey Wright is underrated. He so great. Even in Hunger Games. He does smarty pants real well. That trailer of Issa Rae reading is hilarious. And that blonde standing up in the audience enraptured is hilarious!

[@519Trishers]

“potential is what people say when what they see in front of them is not enough”

[@yognaut2001]

Why isn’t this channel over 100k? It’s informative and so much fun. Check out the podcast! They cover other topics like food and my favorite “sorry to this man.” 😊

[@fishjellyfilmreviews]

🙌🏾

[@mysterytea2291]

That's what I been saying!

[@TechnicJunglist]

I've been following them since 2020-ish and agree. They are the best out there.

[@drunkenboxing781]

The two sexy men wearing matching black 😮

[@drunkenboxing781]

Sorry if I offered anyone

[@SoniT]

I'm looking forward to seeing this movie. Jeffrey Wright is such a talented actor.

[@FUN2SEE100]

I loved the conversation Monk had with Sintara and exploring what a “potential” black narrative is. Like Sintara says, the problem aren’t the black authors, but the publishers and audience members that eat that shit up

[@BeautyLoves88]

yeah but if Black writers dont WRITE the material, there’s nothing “to eat”

[@LynneJordan11]

Ooh the shade! “Look it up!” 😂😂😂

[@LynneJordan11]

“Stagger Lee” 😂 Grateful Dead covered that tune. A fan favorite.

[@dogface1911]

I just saw this at the AMC SCREEN UNSEEN. I really liked it. I hadn't seen one damn trailer for it all year though. And I've seen almost 50 films in theaters. But im glad I caught. Very thought provoking and funny. Good stuff. Hope you guys like it.

[@kharikhy-ree2242]

The Tyler Perry comment is so on point that now I believe this film was intentionally challenging Tyler Perry's films/shows. Every character in this film is familiar to a Tyler Perry film/character, but played with subtly and authenticity instead of an exploitative manor. Drug addiction, divorcee Black woman, a maid, chronic disease, etc were explored. But given dignity instead of sensationalism.

[@TechnicJunglist]

I cannot wait to check this out. Thank you both so much. I'm glad it was nominated for the GG. Jeffrey was excellent in Westworld and deserves all the recognition. A Keith David poll would be awesome in the future.

[@nobodysfool4444]

A *4* from Joseph? Wow, that's excellent! This film and "Poor Things" are the only two films I want to go to theatre for this year, so this review is nice to hear. Thank you.

[@Gestureye7x]

eye saw this movie tonight and it was incredibly hilarious with wonderful nuance driven throughout. it was fascinating how each of the characters were so relatable and the monologues were great!

[@LynneJordan11]

Usually rich folks keep paying the help their salary until they pass… (I worked for super rich folks once) I was a nanny (with my fancy education - drove my mama nuts) 😂

[@chrishubbell3313]

HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE is one of the best movies…EVER! So underrated.✊🏾

[@LynneJordan11]

Tyler Perry just got the best compliment and movie making suggestion ever from you! Thanks for this review. I can hardly wait!

[@LuckyEagle640]

This movie was just so good. I feel like there are so many little Black people easter eggs all over that I think only we will get

[@happyhappyjoyjoy9795]

Nice review, I enjoyed this movie as well, it was the Monday Mystery Movie at Regal 😄 I like how Erika Alexander reprised her role as an older Max from Living Single, still a lawyering. I also like how the movie makes fun of itself by calling out the different tropes and stereotypes of Black culture while presenting those same tropes and sterotypes throughout the movie 😂

[@ronthorn3]

Yeah I saw it on the Monday mystery movie as well, it was a welcome surprise, loved it, laughed my ass off.

[@BeautyLoves88]

it’s wild b/c i became so emotionally attached to the characters, i didnt even realize it was a bunch of “Black film” tropes until AFTER the fact! 🙆🏽‍♀️ which is BRILLIANT b/c isnt that the whole message? “people just want to FEEL something- whatever that is- they dont want heavy, meaningful & cerebral” just brilliant

[@sisterstaketoo1981]

I want to point out Jeffrey weight never read Issa Rae’s book

[@romanjones5723]

Glad you both enjoyed this movie. I loved it, too. It was so refreshing to see these characters on the screen.

[@patriciaarodriguez6641]

Saw this at BAM today in Brooklyn which was great because of the one character in the jury from Brooklyn and I loved it. And the actress who I liked since Living Single, Tracee Ellis Ross since Girlfriends and Issa Rae since Insecure, what a cast!

[@afraisia]

"Plantation Annihilation" reminds me of the "Plantation Dolls" segment in "Tales From The Hood"

[@tacrewgirl]

It reminded me of the movie Antebelleum, which they showed a small snippet of on the TV when Jeffrey was in his childhood room.

[@jascam1]

This movie is theatrical art and Oscar worthy, not like the make believe superheroes hanging from cables next to green screens.

[@SheriMaple]

There's an actual book titled "White Negros" which is funnier. I'm reading Erasure now, and Percival Everette is a talented writer. I recommend I Am Not Sidney Poitier and The Trees.

[@SheriMaple]

If you are interested in reading the book, the full title is "White Negros: When Crornrows Were in Vogue and Other Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation" by Lauren Michele Jackson.

[@LynneJordan11]

Thanks Sheri!

[@tacrewgirl]

Issa's character was reading "White Negros" in the film when her and Jeffrey's character were talking about pandering vs appreciation. But yeah, that book is on my book list too.

[@teeahtate]

Thanks for the recommendations.

[@SmartDave60]

So Much Blue is the best of his of read.

[@richardt1346]

This movie was surprisingly generically heartwarming for a movie I expected to be subversive and bold. But maybe I’m the problem 😂

[@kylaphilippe580]

I actually though that Clifford was financially stable because of the lifestyle he lives and the job he has. But I think he did not want to pay to fund him moms nursing home because of the relationship that he has with her. She was very judgmental of their relationships at times and even said that she’s glad he’s not queer. I really liked this movie. Great review once again! y’all are my favs😆

[@user-ey1bm8wq5n]

You guys are so brilliant, articulate and fascinating. I’m about to watch the movie right now

[@Luxxforfilth]

You guys are my favorite review channel. I always feel like I just watched the movie after hearing the reviews you’re so descriptive and cute ❤️

[@Quettasbedhead]

Just saw this movie yesterday and I really enjoyed it

[@janalew4746]

I saw the movie and I agree with everything yall said in this review! I enjoyed the review!!! You earned a new sub!!

[@marlowemichaelson1366]

Yay!!! I have been waiting for you both to review this movie, your timing is perfect haha

[@lightuponlight6727]

Wonderful review. When I saw the trailer I was intrigued. Wright is one of my fav. actors. It looked like a really smart and really provocative film. Thanks

[@jujutaylor2186]

I had forgotten this was coming out. Thank you for the reminder and the great review

[@brutusalwaysminded]

Enjoyed your review. ❤ Black folks apparently still can’t catch a cab in Boston. LOL

[@xGMOx]

The ending made this a 4th wall breaking movie but in a weird, new way. It's like the writer writing the ending to the movie I just watched. The dramtized author of the movie was like "that was good story telling huh?". Then, he just drives away. Such a crazy way to end a movie.

[@phyllisdrhodes]

I read and loved Erasure years ago - looking forward to checking this out!

[@ENNOIPARADOX]

Just saw it last night and left with the biggest fuckin smile, cord is a fuckin legend

[@millsykooksy4863]

I just saw it and I really loved it! I wouldn’t even have gone to the film if I hadn’t partially watched your guy’s review ❤

[@b.abouttowwn]

I just saw this last night after wanting to see this for a minute. My husband was surprised that he enjoyed it so much. The entire cast was well thought up. Regarding Lorraine, I thought Monk saw her in a motherly way, and I’m glad we didn’t see any negative decisions be made about her staying on. I didn’t read that Monk would/might handle her callously. Still, I agree that him telling her she forgot her apron was assuming. Who the hell would? Yet, I felt he was also detached from the family or people in general to the point where he couldn’t read the room or was too self absorbed. Many academics are like that, in my experience. Anyway, I enjoyed the film.

[@MissTraeHarris]

So Joseph hates jazz lol?!? The soundtrack really brought things together for me tbh, very Thelonious Monk…

[@avaphynx]

This is my favorite review channel ❤

[@veganpeace7890]

I loved the trailer and now I'm so glad to hear it's good! I love movies that feel so real!

[@ourblackgaydiaspora]

I recently watched the film in Bath, England. I'm an American digital nomad who's spent most of the last 4+ years outside of the United States. As a Black American, it was interesting to see a film with a Black protagonist in a theatre in the UK, where I was the only Black person. Seeing and hearing in real time what amused the others. I'm due to watch it again with Black British friends.

[@mariogregory4922]

I think Issa's character in the movie, thought her book was smarter than the F#$C book, not just placating or pandering to white people but a work of substance. She said she did a lot of researched to it. Also, I think it's important that Jeffrey's character did not read it but judged it to be "one of those books that we don't need". I think that was an important critique. Once Issa's character found out he didn't read it, I think it empowered her in the argument they were having. He's an intellect, that is talking about a subject that he didn't do the research which makes him sort of a fool.

[@millsykooksy4863]

ok I'm sold, I want to go see this! This sounds very Spike Lee

[@dogface1911]

Such a fantastic film. Glad you guys reviewed it. I feel like it would be a good double feature with, Dream Scenario.

[@henryjones29]

I loved the review and I can't wait 2 see it. It sounds great!

[@kharikhy-ree2242]

Finally watched this film, and it was so funny and charming. I love these style of film. The cast was fantastic. I've not laughed like this in a minute. "MONSTER" was a urban* book they tried so hard to promote to little black boys as reading material in the early 2000's. And the satire of this film brought how I felt about that book as a kid; "Fuck".

[@GlobeOil0030official]

Another excellent review, thank you gentlemen

[@09F150]

@Fish Jelly Film Reviews. @15:35- the quote is: "...what people SEE, when they THINK what's in front of them....." I wrote it down when I 1st heard it!!

[@anthonynewsome]

Thanks for this, looking forward to seeing it on blu ray, I was looking to see if you’d reviewed Capote V Swans & Fellow Travellers - also if you have seen Man in Orange Shirt (a BBC - two episode show)

[@macebluemoon369]

This is another movie I want to see badly. Because I enjoy myself some Jeffrey Wright. It is about time that he receives an Oscar nomination! Also this film seems thought provoking. These days the general public, especially Millennials, seem to avoid films like these. Which is seriously tragic.

[@phanatic215]

It had vibes of The Producers, where the main character kept trying to sabotage the work, and people were accepting it no matter how ridiculous it seemed.

[@LynneJordan11]

I can’t wait to see this!

[@bear0fdespair201]

How can you not love the soundtrack i absolutely loved it

[@tjalliemicheaux3719]

This reminds me of Bamboozled & the Producers and in real life Dave's story behind The Chappell Show; Trying to get canceled made it a hit

[@constancecampbell4610]

Hi. I just saw it today and I loved it. 👏👏👏

[@sisterstaketoo1981]

I really liked this movie. It did such a good job of having really sad moments and funny or heartwarming but without taking you out of it.

[@BeautyLoves88]

imo issa’s character was using her intellect to gaslight; she is FULLY aware of what a title like “we’s lives in da ghetto” could do AND did; even if she “researched” & these are direct quotes per se, she is aware of making THAT the title & what it could mean; she also chose to read a very SPECIFIC “passage” from her book

[@Ray03595]

Thought the film was a bit lazy in not going deeper into that conversation. And yes, very cheap gaslighting from Issa's character. It's quite obvious she was intentional in what she was doing and her "research" doesn't detract from that. Thought the film left so much on the table unexplored to instead focus on the critique of white critics instead.

[@BeautyLoves88]

@@Ray03595 yes i agree....i wish they would have had monk call out her gaslighting in the MOMENT more directly

[@jinxminxks]

I was a lil scared to watch the movie but i will check it out based on review. So thank you

[@puspavelai8353]

If a Professor of Literature had asked my German character that question🤨I would first think it was a rhetorical question! Based on your best scenes here, a worthy entertaining comedy/drama to enjoy.

[@stryfetc1471]

Best scene in the movie was Issa Rae and Jeffrey Wright discussing the media perception of black people and how her book perpetuated stereotypes

[@raulduke6105]

Just saw it, fantastic

[@afraisia]

Bamboozled Part 2

[@funnyguyla]

Thanks for the review. I liked it but didn't love it. Not only did it remind me of Hollywood Shuffle, but Bamboozled, The 40 Year Old Version and The Producers. The performances were all top notch, but not all of the satire landed for me. When Erika Alexander's character claimed to like F--k, I became even more confused. Was it a good book after all? We only got that one scene of him writing it with the characters acting it out. If they wanted to convey to us, the audience that it was truly awful, they should have presented more of it. When Issa Rae read her excerpt, that was all I needed! Also, I felt the family drama bogged the whole thing down. I'd still recommend it.

[@tacrewgirl]

I felt like the family drama was supposed to be a juxtaposition to Pafology and an additional character in the film, saying here is a non-stereotypically black story about black people living their black life. The film also reminded me of Bamboozled and Hollywood Shuffle for this generation. I agree, it would've been nice to hear what Erika Alexander's character liked about F--k as well as have some resolution at the end with her and Jeffrey's character.

[@LMason-qd7sq]

I wonder how this compares to the 2023 best seller by R.F. Kuang.

[@CD-hv3vl]

There were some nice moments in this film. The rhythm was a little off though. I'm not sure if the family backstory and the book deal plot meshed. I wished the director had chosen one story without the other and dug a little deeper. He undercooked both plot lines. We got a taste of the family dynamics but only in passing. The writer could have gone deeper in the book world. Sterling K Brown had some good lines. So did Leslie Uggams. I thought Tracee Ross's death was a bit abrupt to the point where she didnt add much to the movie.I wouldn't have had her in the movie. Her character could have been introduced after her death. In summary, too much was thrown into this movie.

[@MrBlackretreat]

Jeffrey Wright is so My Type

[@antarjones7888]

I thought the soundtrack was particularly good!

[@kristinabliss]

Unable to find this movie in theaters or online. Why is that? Strange.

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

This film would have been so much better for me if I hadn't made the mistake of watching the trailer.

[@kiaraburch2935]

Can you guys review all about Lilly Chou Chou? it’s from the early 00s :)

[@emsports42]

Go see this in theaters.

[@williamerazo3921]

It’s on my checklist

[@carolinejames4700]

I also liked the way they didn’t force the romantic relationship and instead let it play as it probably would have - because his character was a dick with her and I wouldn’t want to take him back either.

[@BeautyLoves88]

coraline also just jumped RIGHT into a new relationship….monk was grieving & she was grieving also- they bonded b/c of a shared pain & need for company, they were bound to implode

[@teeahtate]

I loved this film. Great. Story.

[@BeautyLoves88]

johnny walker: red, blue & BLACK (the best) - that was an interesting choice of metaphor; american flag colors are red blue and WHITE….

[@edcrick]

Good review fellas. I really enjoyed the film too. I thought they did not quite land the ending as the "real" family drama needed a closure alongside the satire. For that reason I also go 4/5. It is VERY funny.

[@kliggco]

I love that it didn’t have an ending.. because family drama is never ending in itself. It’s real life that continues

[@edcrick]

@@kliggco yes that was my wife's opinion too.

[@stryfetc1471]

Tired of this trend in films witn the "open ended/ left to your interpretation" endings!....wrap the story up, stop short changing the audience!

[@DandMProduction]

The film is great! The writing is top-notch! Actors did an amazing job! I really enjoyed it..

[@CharlieTredwayMUA]

This is my most frequently watched, and sometimes multiple watched, youchoob channels.

[@hartzaire]

I definitely agree with the Tyler Perry sentiment because his work seems very recycled and copy and pasted at this point with mediocre actors and writing that is always traumatized and trauma themed over and over like people in his movies can never be happy through the whole movie they are always going through pain and agony.

[@alasharper7344]

Y'all must not know about Quan Millz books lol

[@trevormichael4906]

This reminded me of Hollywood Shuffle and Bamboozled. Very much similar messaging. This was a bit more clever than those two it reminded me. Not as crude, but still pretty funny. I could imagine this making some people uncomfortable.

[@NancyLebovitz]

Is the book canon? In the book, Lorraine hasn't saved any money. Monk feels an obligation to her, but his book deal is as much essential for him to help her as for him to help his mother. Lorraine is the one who gets the happy ending because she and the security guard fall in love. Arguably, the story is a situation comedy going in some unexpected directions.

[@TheFadingMan]

Loved this movie!!

[@icaliver]

I’m sold Keith David and Jeffery Wright, I’m sold. Jeffery is such a dilf but if Joe enjoyed it Must be worth watching.

[@sisterstaketoo1981]

Keith David is only in one scene but he did a good job lol

[@alewis4766]

Jeffrey Wright was great as usual I found Sterling K. Brown’s character too one dimensional.

[@mashenka6189]

I enjoyed this movie..

[@Dandan-tg6tj]

The way movie started .. with "offended" greenish haired students. That was the moment I stopped watching. When I was a student we were never "offended" by whatever our teachers said or did. Our goal was to learn as much as we could from good things and from bad things but mainly to get prepared to be useful for society. We had a spine and I don't recall any of my colleagues being a delicate snowflake offended by literature or history.

[@alfredoparsons5420]

Loved this movie

[@LadyChatterly]

I must’ve missed how Tracee’s character died- what happened? I’m multitasking

[@fishjellyfilmreviews]

We don't know what causes it. She just passes out a lunch one day.

[@BeautyLoves88]

i thought w how she was clenching her heart & her left arm was erect, she had a stroke or heart attack

[@kliggco]

I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the soundtrack!

[@bobsavage3317]

☮

[@Ray03595]

Caught this film, and I have some big grievances with it. Mainly with the Sterling K. Brown character. This movie's big talking point is about stereotypes facing black people, black writers, and lack of diversity of the black narrative. And the movie spends a lot of time with this family to counteract those stereotypes to display that black families are just as complicated and multi-dimensional as any other family out there. Fine, get that... So I just don't understand how in the world these writers reduces the gay characters in this film into Hollywood gay stereotypes?? Sterling K. Brown is a good actor, but sorry, I was not convinced this man was gay for a second and it very much gave off a straight actor playing a gay character is my first gripe. Second gripe is that they create this character that is "straight acting", but they STILL throw so many gay stereotypes at this character that Hollywood LOVES to do. He's sexually promiscuous, drug addict, is fine being alone and has no real love interest himself. He again serves to prop up the main straight relationship in the story. And all his gay lovers in the film are all feminine, sassy men that we see all the time in Hollywood too and all seem to have no direction. For a film that is trying so hard to tell its audience to not stereotype the black narrative, it seems to actively hammer down using stereotypical gay narrative tropes in this film. Second major issue with this film, is that it just isn't bold enough for me and it seems like the film in the end is more about critiquing white critics, and catering to white critics, than telling a story about a black family. The messages and takeaways of this film seem to squarely be for white writers and critics. As a black person, I really didn't walk away learning anything I didn't already know. I get that not every film is for everyone, but it seems this film WAS trying to say something to its black audience, mainly with the tension between Monk, and Issa Rey's characters and their different viewpoints on where black culture currently is. But the movie never goes far enough. It just poses the question and then STOPS. I really wanted Monk to push Issa's character further when she said "potential sounds like you don't think what you see in front of you is good enough." I wanted Monk to say, "It's not", and for them to explore that more about why Monk feels that way and why Issa feels the way she does, but it never goes there and we go straight back to making jokes about white writers. I overall still liked the film, it's entertaining enough, but as a piece of satire, I think it falls short for me. I can see how for others, mainly those who aren't black, this is a new perspective for them. But I wanted more. I've had deeper KZbin comment discussion on some of these topics than what's in this film. And remain disappointed with its gay character. And especially the Tyler Perry jokes, which strangely came off as cheap and homophobic and thats also how the film ended too. With a lame Tyler Perry gay joke that feels out of high school, and plagues so much black media nowadays.

[@therockstar123456]

They would have fired her.

[@trevormichael4906]

….and this might be a stupid question but, are y’all together together? I can’t tell sometimes. It doesn’t matter really, just curious 🙃

[@BookMaven9]

They are married

[@blackamericanlesbianprofes4357]

Thank you for sharing your movie review. 12dec23

[@MrBlackretreat]

I love how the Director kept zooming in on Jeffrey Wright crotch area

[@BeautyLoves88]

okaaaaaay so, i thought my eyes were just going there!! 🙆🏽‍♀️ lol but why do you think? the Black male “size” stereotype??