Classic Movies Live – Season 5, Episode 5: American Fiction
February 28, 2024
In this week’s episode of Classic Movies Live!, Pierre and Jeff discuss Cord Jefferson’s universally-acclaimed directorial debut American Fiction.
Frustrated by his lack of authorial success and the expectations imposed on black writers, and dealing with expensive family tragedies, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Academy Award nominee Jeffrey Wright) writes a cliche-ridden parody of the kind of black story he thinks white people want to read… only for it to become an overnight sensation. Reminiscent of The Producers, Monk pushes the joke further and further, only to fail upwards every time.
American Fiction is one part poignant satire of the publishing and entertainment industries, and one touching family drama, elegantly balanced by spectacular performances from Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Issa Rae, and a phenomenal supporting cast.
But how does it stack up against the other Best Picture nominees in 2024? Tune in to this episode as our hosts break it down category by category!
If you’d like to hear our hosts talk a little more about American Fiction, check out this recent episode of Contra Zoom Pod, featuring Pierre and Jeff discussing the movie as well as Poor Things, The Holdovers, and Past Lives!
