Writer-director Cord Jefferson adapts Percival Everett's 2001 novel Erasure.
Jeffrey Wright - Thelonious "Monk" Ellison
Tracee Ellis Ross - Lisa Ellison
Issa Rae - Sintara Golden
John Ortiz - Arthur
Erika Alexander - Coraline
Leslie Uggams - Agnes Ellison
Sterling K. Brown - Clifford Ellison
Summary
Outspoken author and professor Thelonious "Monk" Ellison is placed on leave by his university after a student is offended by Flannery O'Connor's short The Artificial Nigger.
Monk attends a book seminar in Boston where Sintara Golden's bestselling novel We's Lives in Da Ghetto panders to black stereotypes.
Out of frustration, Monk writes My Pafology under the pseudonym of Stagg R. Leigh, which purposely mocks the clichés of black society.
Although intended as a joke, it ironically becomes a huge hit and his agent Arthur convinces Monk to adopt fake persona.
Language of the gutter
Although hampered by family drama and romance, Jeffrey Wright's brilliant performance is the glue that holds satire together.
When questioned about his 'perfect' book, he pretends to be wanted fugitive.
"Mr. Leigh, erm, is this based on your actual life?"
"Yeah, you think that some bitch-ass college boy can come up with that shit?"
In an attempt to sabotage movie deal (which amusingly backfires), he surprises executives by changing book title to Fuck.
Deadpan delivery absolutely killed me.
Story is revealed to be a screenplay based on Monk's experiences as an alternative to the adaptation of Fuck.
Finally, Arthur compares book's quality to Johnnie Walker Blue, as opposed to cheaper alternatives Black and Red.
Of course any product could've been used, but still a nice allegory.
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