American Fiction

The press around “American Fiction” made it out to be the next big Challenging Work about Important Things when it’s really just a cute and charming dramedy that has occasional lightweight, though hysterical, political commentary. The plot is predictable, there’s no original insight to be had (I’ll grant this might’ve killed in 2008; take that as you will), and the melodramatic elements wore out their welcome long before the finish, but the strong cast, a mostly-good script, and comedic bombshells timed to go off right when the pacing sags make for a perfectly enjoyable two hours. Overrated but worthwhile nonetheless.

6