Throughout the history of the cinematic craft, underlying themes of specific stories have been retold across various genres and adaptations. 

• An example in the slasher subgenre of horror could be a classic story of a killer stalking their prey for one reason or another. 
• A fictitious sports movie adaptation seeing the underdog athlete or team coming from behind to win it all! 
• One character emphasizing long held-in romantic feelings for another in the vein of romantic comedy.  
• The one-hero army versus the plethora of adversaries in the genre of action.  

At times, these adaptations could be seen as superb, and stand out as unique — cementing their own chapter within the pages of cinematic history. Other times, the exercise of comparison and contrast will distract the viewer so much they find themselves more focused on past projects than the one they’re in the midst of viewing.  

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When director Cord Jefferson first read Percival Everett’s novel Erasure, he felt the story was speaking to him. An equivalence of a gift tailor-made specifically for him! From the moment of completion, Jefferson was destined to receive Everett’s blessing in adapting Erasure into a motion picture.  

Jefferson had never seen the classic cinematic tales of Tootsie or Not Okay — similar, albeit different cinematic stories that tell a tale of when a lie goes too far.  

It put a smile on this cinephile’s face when hearing that. An overcoming feeling as bearing witness to a new master of the cinematic craft. 

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American Fiction had its world premiere at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival, where it received the coveted People’s Choice Award as the festival’s most popular film. Ever since, word of mouth spread within the circles of insiders and critics about how this adaptation of Erasure is among 2023’s overall best.  

American Fiction is a screenplay experience. Led by an all-star cast destined to convey meanings of connection. Such is highlighted through a viewer’s experience in the ensemble’s individual performances. Jefferson wrote the character of Monk specifically with Jeffrey Wright in mind. An equivalence of champagne casting, it serves reminder of how if one works hard in their respective craft, their opportunity will present itself. Jefferson saw this in Wright, and it was an opportunity that paid off superbly. 

Wright portrays Monk as written — a humble professor and writer. Though successful in his own right, Monk finds himself at a bit of a career standstill. Not wanting to be limited or stereotyped based solely on their race, Monk confidently brushes off suggestions of adaptation that his work is not coinciding enough in a predominant showcase to his culture. Monk is content with his work wanting to keep a presented demeanor and background of work as one not limited to one sector. Equality with balance. One night, as a gag, Monk pens a story catered to such stereotypical tropes and winds up submitting the story under a pen name. 

Consequential, a journey transpires as Monk finds himself on a journey of merit — one that questions value and the individual’s moral compass. As one who went into American Fiction knowing as little as possible, it is admirable how this is Jefferson’s directorial debut. Albeit under completely different circumstances and storytelling, Jefferson’s work on American Fiction could be seen by a historian as reminiscent of a young Quentin Tarantino when he broke through in the industry and became the transcending legend he is today. 

The only reason American Fiction does not receive a perfect score is because there is one element of the main character’s lie that drags in the vein of pacing purposes. Though critical to the story and coinciding with Jefferson’s vision, it felt as if it were milked a little too much in the vein of hammering a nail well into lumber. 

Whether it’s to themselves or another individual, anyone who says they are uninterested in success is not being honest. At the same time, how far is one willing to go to achieve such success? Is the individual willing to allow a moment of angst to consume them and overshadow any sense of honesty? It is a life lesson told through storytelling that, when done right, can allow the viewer to take a genuine look within themselves and their own moral compass. This is what makes Jefferson’s adaptation of Erasure so special. An elevation of curiosity and anticipation in seeing what he will be able to do next. 

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4.5 on a scale of 5 

(Thumbs Up) 

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 American Fiction is Now Playing Nationwide ONLY IN THEATERS