TEXAS, USA — AMERICAN FICTION
For those of you who think current comedic films lack depth, your faith will be redeemed with "American Fiction."
It's one of the American Film Institute's Top Ten Films of 2023 and one of mine, as well.
This is as smart and funny as satire comes. Former White House journalist and TV scribe Cord Jefferson adapts a novel for his feature film debut, starring Jeffrey Wright in a role he was made to play. He's a writer, 'Monk,' whose books are not selling. What IS selling? Blackspeak ... ghetto talk ... nothing resembling literature. Just ask the best-selling author played by Issa Rae. So, Monk decides to beat the publishing world at its own game and create a book for the masses under a pen name. It's an instant hit! But how far can fake street cred take you?
Meanwhile, his family is crumbling, his mother is ill, and he's asked to be the adult in the room. That can be a lot. Yes, this is a heartfelt film, as well. The rest of the cast here is brilliant, too, even in small roles fully realized by the likes of Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown. I'm telling ya, this is no fake.
(Amazon/MGM. Rated R. Running Time 1 hr. 57 mins. In Theaters Only)
NIGHT SWIM
Blumhouse has run out of ideas for haunted house movies, now they've moved on to haunted swimming pools!
Wyatt Russell (Kurt's son) co-stars with "The Banshees of Inisherin" Oscar nominee Kerry Condon as parents of a daughter and son. Russell's character was a pro baseball star, but he's had to step back due to a debilitating illness. As they search for a new home and a fresh start, wouldn't a pool be therapeutic for him and great for the family! Of course, it would, until they come to realize too late in the game, that ghostly things are lurking in the deep end.
This one will make you re-think those "adventures to the drain" games we used to play in the pool as kids! Yes, dive in at your own risk. Writer/director Bryce McGuire tries to weave some mysticism into an angle with the local spring waters, but there's no use. It’s a sinker.
(Universal Pictures. Rated PG-23. Running Time 1 hr. 38 mins. In Theaters Only)
MEMORY
"Memory" is small, beautifully-acted movie by Mexican writer/director Michel Franco that's worth seeking out.
I mean, look at the leads: Jessica Chastain and Peter Skarsgaard.
Chastain plays a social worker who's relied on AA for more than a decade to get her through past abuse. She has issues she's rather not remember. Skarsgaard's character doesn't have a choice. He's dealing with early onset dementia. He follows her home from a high school reunion, and after some understandable apprehension on her part, they just fit together.
Part of the puzzle, her wise-beyond-her years teen daughter. Their other family members try to stand in the way, but you know what they say about love.
(Ketchup Entertainment. Rated R. Running Time 1 hr. 40 mins. In Theaters Only)
More movie reviews:
