Have you seen about this? Have you heard about it? More than likely, you have. Cord Jefferson's directorial debut earned 5 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor, with Jefferson winning Best Adapted Screenplay. I am certainly late to the party to offer praise for this film, but I just got to it, and boy, am I glad I did.

"American Fiction" is a dramedy centered on Thelonious "Monk" Ellison as he navigates the sudden loss of his sister, the rapid memory deterioration of his mother, and the frustrating literary landscape that has rejected his latest work as not being "black enough." Monk, to prove a point, writes a satirical novel under a pseudonym, providing the story, themes, and stereotypes the literary world craves. He is shocked when the book is well-received and forced to deal with the unwanted success.

"American Fiction" has great light humor throughout that provides a nice balance to the weighty issues and themes it speaks to. That balance is provided by some exceptional performers playing engaging characters. Sterling K. Brown and Tracee Ellis Ross were highlights as Monk's siblings. Adam Brody popping up as an out-of-touch Hollywood producer looking to capitalize on the "black experience" was very funny, and Wright's nomination speaks for itself as he provided a grounded, complex protagonist.

While the performances and direction of the film were great (shocking this was Cord Jefferson's debut; he has some beautiful shots that depict Wright's detachment from his loved ones and his peers), my criticism of the film goes back to its engaging story. The use of a fourth wall of sorts at the conclusion made me feel a bit cheated as I was invested in the story up to that point. The final gag and metaphor are still great, but I was left feeling a bit disappointed.

I think the movie is fantastic, and I would highly recommend it for its story, performances, and characters. I give the movie an 8.4 rating.