American Fiction: A Glimpse into Society’s Obsession with Authenticity
WE currently live in a society where being your “true self” is all the rage. Be it based on sexuality, ethnicity, or political ideology, the masses are keen on discussing, well, themselves.
Enter Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a deeply frustrated writer and professor who finds himself struggling to capture the public imagination with his new novel. His agent Arthur informs him that publishers are after “a Black book”, to which Monk responds, “But I’m black and it’s my book!”
At a convention, Monk witnesses an audience of superfans give a standing ovation to a brand-new author for her book entitled We’s Lives In Da Ghetto, hailing her for speaking “her truth” and shining a light on black lives.
Furious at this limited and often damaging portrayal of black people, Monk takes a drastic step and writes a clichéd tale set in the hood with rappers, crack, guns, and deadbeat dads, and sends it off to his agent as a joke. To his surprise, the book achieves instant success, and Monk is forced to hide his true self, pretending to be an escaped convict who wrote the story.
Migration: An Adventure of Courage and Family Bonding
The amiable story of Migration treads on familiar “overprotective parent” territory as a family of mallards in New England never migrate for the winter because dear ol’ dad Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) is a scaredy bird. Convinced to face his fears, he leads his family on an adventure through New York to Jamaica, showcasing the excellent voice cast that brings slapstick, comedic energy.
Grumpy stoic: Shining a Light on the Entertainment Industry’s Inclusivity Dilemma
This heartstring-pulling and whip-smart film shines a light on the ridiculous knot the entertainment industry gets itself in, in a bid to be inclusive and not offend, while doing the complete opposite. Wright’s performance as the grumpy but stoical Monk is a pleasure to witness, leaving you wanting to spend more time with him. Despite a slightly bumpy and disconnected ending, this wonderful ride truly knows itself.
Zone Of Interest: An Unsettling Depiction of Auschwitz Commandant’s Life
The story of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, who runs the concentration camp and returns to his luxurious home next door with his wife Hedwig hungry for more excess, depicts the horrors of the Holocaust in a haunting manner. The slow pace, lack of dialogue, and testing long silences in this adaptation may not maintain everyone’s interest, but possibly due to its timing, this picture is incredibly profound to many.
In conclusion, these films lay bare our society’s obsession with authenticity and inclusivity, tackling complex and sensitive themes in American fiction and historical depictions. Whether it’s a stoic writer trying to navigate the expectations of the literary world, an unsettling portrayal of a Nazi commandant’s life, or a heartwarming portrayal of a family of ducks embarking on a journey of courage, these movies offer thought-provoking perspectives on the human experience.