The film 'American Fiction' received an Oscar award in the category of 'Best Adapted Screenplay.' It's a bit ironic, because the film itself is a film about a writer. The film's script is based on a novel published in 2001, entitled 'Erasure', written by Percival Everett. It is a scathing satire, describing the literary world's pressure on non-whites to conform to racial stereotypes that portray them unfavorably.

Erroll McDonald, vice president and executive editor, is one of the few prominent black editors in the publishing industry. He said many of the themes in Everett's book are just as fresh today as they were in 2001. He also said he was all too aware of the way white editors and publishers choose stories that reinforce stereotypes about black people, rather than stories which would show them as ordinary people, like everyone else.

The Plot

Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) is an academic writer and Professor of Humanities. But he is not happy in the role and openly expresses his controversial views to his students, regardless of the consequences. Complaints are made to the University authorities about the ugly things Monk said in class, and his managers decide to give him an unpaid leave of absence. Monk goes home to Boston, and as he is a writer, he attends a book festival held there. A couple of things occur to Monk as he attends the festival. First of all, his writings are not in line with what the book market is looking for from black writers like him. And what is the book market looking for? Black people in stereotypical roles speaking vulgar street talk in their vernacular. This is evident from the novel 'We's Lives in Da Ghetto,' a novel written by superstar Sintara Golden (Issa Rae). When Sintara reads out an excerpt from her book, Monk sees the middle-aged white women in the audience nod in agreement.

Monk also understands that, despite his reluctance to contact his family, they are struggling in many ways and that it is important for him to be there and help them in their time of need - especially since his mother, Agnes (Leslie Uggams), has Alzheimer's disease.

To express his dissatisfaction and frustration, Monk sits down one night and begins to write a book. The title of the book is 'My Pafology', a story about gangs and guns, and bad black people. He writes the book under the pseudonym 'Stagg R. Leigh.'As Monk is unable to show his face as Stagg when dealing with various publishers, he pretends to be a criminal on the run from the law, who cannot there attend meetings in person. Then, something happens that he did not expect at all. When the manuscript is sent out, one of the major publishers makes him an offer that is hard to refuse - $750,000! Although he does not want to take it, he has no choice, as his mother needs medical care. Then his book is nominated for a major award and huge success follows for him.

Conclusion

The story works on two levels, firstly as an exposé of the pressures placed on black people working in the arts. At the same time, you see the life of Monk and his family clearly. He is a professor, his sister is a clinician and his brother is a plastic surgeon - defying the racial stereotypes spread by the media. Those two levels that are in opposition to each other create the great tension in the film. And it also clearly shows that the stereotypes that many people believe in are unfounded.

The acting in the film is superb, with Jeffrey Wright incredible in the role of Monk. You feel his frustration and pain all the time, even and perhaps especially, when he is very successful as an author.

I would recommend this movie without question. It shines a universal light on a serious topic, but the topic is discussed in a fun and entertaining way.

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