The Binary Feelings of the American Novel (12/18/2023) – Movie tickets in theaters, Broadway shows, London theater and more
Have you ever heard of a dummy test?
In the 1940s, Dr. Mamie Clark and Dr. Kenneth Clark were the first African-American women and men to earn a doctorate in psychology from Columbia University. Their pioneering work examined the effects of segregation, poverty, and Jim Crow laws on children.
Their experiments were very simple. They used dolls – all similar except for the color of their skin and hair – and asked the participating children (all black, all aged three to seven) which doll they liked best. Most of them chose the white doll.
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As one can imagine, the implications extend beyond culture, justice, and many societal problems. It’s kind of basic American fantasyThe new film is based on the novel, EraseWritten by Percival Everett.
If you’ve watched the trailer, you can tell that the themes running around this film are contradictions, identity, and problematic portrayals. It’s angry and painful and complicated but understandable. It’s the debut film from director Cord Jefferson, a former television writer who made his name with titles like… Master of nothing, The good place, Station eleven And the HBO series The guards For which he won an Emmy Award. (His backstory is very compelling, and if you want a magical read about Vegas fine dining, check out this feature he did for eater Back in October.)
All of this is to say that for all the new energy Jefferson brings to the table, so are his character actors American fantasy The adaptation (yes, he wrote the movie too) are seasoned veterans. Cast – Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Sterling K. Brown, Myra Lucretia Taylor, John Ortiz, Issa Rae, and Adam Brody – give breadth to the duality presented throughout the story.
The protagonist Monk (played by Wright) is an author and college professor but adopts the pseudonym Stagg R. Leigh who writes a fictional parody called “My Pafology”. It portrays Issa Rae, another black author who has gained acclaim for writing about the experiences of inner-city women despite her middle-class background. Sterling plays K. Brown plays Monk’s gay younger brother.
Reviews have been favorable so far. American fantasy It was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Best Actor for Jeffrey Wright), and five Critics’ Choice Movie Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor for Sterling K. Brown.
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American Fiction opened in limited release last Friday but will open nationwide on Friday, December 22, 2023. It’s rumored to air sometime within the next month.
Buy tickets here
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