"a cinematic stick of dynamite"

Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Okieriete Onaodowan, Myra Lucretia Taylor

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"One day maybe you'll learn that not being able to relate to other people isn't a badge of honor." - Coraline

Why watch this? This delightful satire aims a sharpened point at race-themed literature from many perspectives.

Plot Summary: Monk Ellison has written academically praised books that have failed find an audience because, frankly, the buying (mostly white) public demands a more ghetto (aka stereotypical) feel. As a cynical joke, he pens a mock novel pandering to the street vibe and asks his agent to fish it in the market out of spite using the fake name, Stagg R. Leigh. Of course, the publishers love it, and even want to discuss film rights. There is a lot going on with Monk: the marketing of his gansta-novel, his sibling relations, his mother's onset of Alzheimer's, and his romantic exploits.

Dad's Preview: As we (well, certainly I) explore black/white harmony in America, I am reminded that perceptions, by one race or the other, are often skewed, exaggerated or blatantly under-played. This well-done film, about an intellectual black author, is so bitingly real that you'll immediately feel a part of the story yourself. It many subplots are woven together perfectly. I was also surprised at how many times I laughed out loud - this is a testament to a fantastic script and the wonderfully complex lead portrayal by Jeffrey Wright. If you are white like me, or not, this drama is worth your consideration.  

MRC, T-Street, Almost Infinite, 3 Arts Ent.; Orion Pictures