Plot: What’s it about?
This site has given me several opportunities to interview and even meet some stars that I’ve seen on TV and the movie theater for quite some time. I hardly believe I’d have ever been afforded the opportunity to talk to Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg, Peter Frampton, Ed Harris or Alfred Molina if I were simply working a “day job” (I do, by the way). But, that aside, I can actually say that I’ve got somewhat of a personal connection with the Writer/Director of American Fiction – winner for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2023 Oscars. Jefferson was the roommate and fraternity brother of a very good friend of mine, a fellow co-worker. So there’s that. How close are they? Put it this way, Jefferson was feeling some anxiety around Oscar time and had Warner fly this guy out for some emotional support. When I received a picture of Jefferson’s friend holding an Academy Award – it hit home. That aside, this is also a great movie. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Jeffrey Wright plays “Monk” Ellison, a black college professor who’s trying to get a novel published about ants. No, not the familial type, the insects. He’s not having much luck. To add fuel to his fire there’s a student, Sintara Golden (Issa Rae) who’s become a publishing sensation for her novel about the “Black experience.” It’s riddleled with stereotypes about African-Americans and the public can’t get enough. This angers Monk. So, in “retaliation”, he pens his own novel – written in African-American Vernacular English (i.e. Ebonics) and it’s riddled with clichés about drugs, gangs and the like. You know, everything your typical white American thinks anyway. Much to Monk’s surprise, the book becomes a national sensation and the rest of the film details what happens in the wake of that.
There’s a lot to like about American Fiction. Namely how fresh and original it is. It shows us that the perception of something is often more powerful than the actual truth. Sad, but true. But it’s also got some outstanding performances, namely by Jeffrey Wright and Sterling K. Brown (both of whom were nominated for acting Oscars). It’s not often that a young director/writer can burst onto the scene and have a first film garner five Academy Award nominations, but here we are. While the film might have a few rough edges, it’s something that should be seen by the masses. It’s worth a look.
Video: How’s it look?
The 2.39:1 AVC HD encode leaves little to the imagination. This film runs the gamut when it comes to color, tone and texture but by and large it’s a good-looking film – we’d expect nothing less from a day and date release. Detail is amazing. When you can count the facial hairs in Jeffrey Wright’s beard, you know you’re in a for a treat. Colors are bold and in some scenes really pop and the lack of grain is, again, consistent with what we’d expect from a new film on disc. It’s a very natural-looking transfer that’s sure to please. I was.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The DTS HD Master Audio mix is nothing to get too excited about as the majority of this film is driven by dialogue. And that’s fine. It sounds more than passable, but don’t expect to blow the roof off this place. It’s got a few “jazzy” scenes that light up the speakers a bit and surrounds are used sparingly, yet effectively. Vocals, the main draw, are clear, crisp and solid. It’s a good effort.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc contains no bonus materials.
The Bottom Line
Odds are that American Fiction won’t be for everyone. But for those that are willing to give it a chance, it’s well worth the time involved. The movie was up for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and it managed to win one for Director/Writer Cord Jefferson (Best Adapted Screenplay). Not too shabby for your first film. The disc looks and sounds good, but it’d have been nice to have some, any special features.
