(Updated 11/15/2023)
Authenticity is a big deal when you're making music or art, or, really, anything. The problem is that stereotypical images of authenticity are fairly easy to fake. It's got to hurt a little bit to set aside your own personality to fake being someone else — and if an audience realizes they were duped by false authenticity, watch out. The consequences are severe.
AMERICAN FICTION is a crowd-pleasing comedy about a struggling author who gets a shot at fame. His success depends on giving up his own authentic voice, however, effectively turning the writer into everything he hates. See the funny AMERICAN FICTION trailer below.
When Does American Fiction Come Out?
MGM will release AMERICAN FICTION in movie theatres on December 15.
Watch the American Fiction Trailer
"The dumber I behave, the richer I get." This trailer introduces the bookish Thelonious "Monk" Ellison and quickly outlines his plight: He writes good books that don't sell. But there's an audience ready to lap up material that panders to expectations and stereotypes.
AMERICAN FICTION premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where it won the People's Choice Award. That award is a good indicator of a movie that appeals to many audiences, because it is the festival's one award that is, as the name suggests, voted upon by general audience members. Watching this trailer, it's easy to see how it would win!
Who's in the Cast of American Fiction?
The star of the movie is Jeffrey Wright, and festival reviews highlight what a great match the material is for Wright's too-often unappreciated talents. Wright tends to play supporting roles so well that he fades right into the fabric of a movie. It's great for the film, but not high not at all showy acting style means he doesn't get the acclaim that goes to other performers. AMERICAN FICTION is likely to change that.
Alongside Wright are Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown in key roles. The cast also features John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Adam Brody, Leslie Uggams, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Okieriete Onaodowan, and Keith David.
Who Directed American Fiction?
AMERICAN FICTION is written and directed by Cord Jefferson. He got his start in journalism, most notably working as a writer and editor for Gawker. Jefferson went on to write for "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" and "Master of None." He won an Emmy, along with Damon Lindelof, for writing on HBO's "Watchmen" series.
The movie is Jefferson's first feature. It's based on the 2001 novel "Erasure," by Percival Everett. The movie was set in motion by T-Street Productions, the company founded by partners Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman (KNIVES OUT, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI).
In "Erasure," Monk's novel is part of the novel in its entirety, making for a multi-layered structure. We don't know if the movie will emulate that structure
AMERICAN FICTION opens on December 15
All images courtesy of MGM.