Official Website

Plot Summary: A novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.

Director: Cord Jefferson

Writer: Cord Jefferson, Percival Everett

Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes

Main Cast:

• Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison
• Tracy Ellis Ross as Lisa Ellison
• John Ortiz as Arthur
• Erika Alexander as Coraline
• Leslie Uggams as Agnes Ellison
• Adam Brody as Wiley Valdespino
• Keith David as Willy the Wonker
• Issa Rae as Sinatra Golden
• Sterling K. Brown as Clifford Brown

Review by: Samuel

Based on the trailers for this film, I was expecting an hour and a half comedy about a man half-heartedly writing an insultingly stereotypical book about “black” people as a joke, that actually became a best seller. And, while there are laughs to be had that plot point is actually not the focus of this film that is instead a 2-hour drama-filled and heartfelt critique of society that is expertly crafted.

What I Liked

Our author who is the spotlight is Monk (portrayed by Jeffrey Wright)- a college professor and sem0succeful author who is immediately shown to be that annoying intellectual that we’ve all run across at some point in our lives. Because of his frustrations with what the tired tropes that society has come to regard as Black entertainment (as well as a piling stack of bills), he writes a book under a pseudonym that takes those same tropes to 100. It was meant as a joke but soon catches the eyes of numerous publishers who regard it at genius- much to Monk’s dismay.

That aspect of the story is where the comedy comes in, but it really is the backstory and instead the focus on Monk’s family takes center stage. His ailing mother and divorced siblings- one of which recently came out as gay (which is why his marriage ended)- are the true focus here. When he first arrives, Monk can’t wait to leave. He has very little interest in his family, outside of his mother, and is devoted to his work. Monk is annoying. He is self-righteous and condescending. So, at first it seems this is going to be a movie in which his time with his family creates the arc that ultimately changes him- it’s not. He undergoes very little change and is only slightly less irritating by the time the credits roll. But I think that’s the point. This movie has a lot to say about black society, society at large, family dynamics, and other things I’m sure I missed. It’s one of those films that holds a mirror up to society so it’s not interested in going the traditional route. This can be detrimental and alienate an audience if done poorly, but thankfully Cord Jefferson’s direction and Jeffrey Wright’s performance (Wright being in practically every scene in the film) keep the film on the up and up.

I like that the film’s messages were not thrown in your face and beaten over your head a ton of times, but I also very much appreciate that they weren’t so subtle that you question what is was about and risk the pretentious film posse saying “you just don’t get it.” It is a well-executed film with brilliant performances all around. Wright of course headlines, but Sterling K Brown and Tracee Ellis Ross (who portray his siblings) turn in wonderful performances as well.

Now, I may have glossed over this earlier but the film is very funny. VERY FUNNY. The comedic aspect may not have been at center stage like I thought it would be, but when it comes it hits every time. The dynamic between Sterling K Brown and Jeffrey Wright is particularly hilarious to see.  I also very much enjoyed the ending- I thought it was the perfect satirical ending and just put a cap on the whole thing.

What I Didn’t Like

This is Cord Jefferson’s film debut as a writer/director so there are a few pacing issues. Certain scenes seem to linger more than they should and other seem to be cut short. There are also some (not many) drastic tonal changes within a scene that aren’t always executed well. But, the main issue with this movie is the same issue almost all movies today face for some reason- it is too long. There is an hour and a half cut of this film that work. It does not take over two hours to tell the story this movie wants to tell, and that is its biggest weakness.