The app that tells you the best time to run and pee during a movie without missing the best scenes.

100% free (donation supported) iPhone | Android

Movie Review – American Fiction

american-fiction_hero

To be sure, this movie is daring and provocative.  Done poorly, the film had the potential of being a box office bust.  However, this is a directorial masterpiece by Cord Jefferson which is bolstered by acting performances that could bring any screenplay to life.

The movie is an adaptation of Everett’s novel, “Erasure” (2001) and involves a satirical look at African-American stereotypes and how they are woven into the fabric of American pop culture.  At the same time, there is a focus upon a family that, while being largely dysfunctional, effectively draws the movie-goer’s sympathy.  Indeed, most viewers will be able to recognize family dynamics from their own life experiences.

——Content continues below——

The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App

The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.


As seen on

Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)

Get the RunPee app at the Google Play Store       Get the RunPee app at the Google Play Store

Read more about the RunPee app.



In short, the film is about a professor who has had tremendous difficulty publishing a novel which is read by more than just a handful of people.  Perhaps out of spite for the publishing industry or as the ultimate joke, he anonymously writes a book complete with all of the well-known African-American stereotypes.  He is flummoxed when it actually becomes an instant hit, far beyond the success of any of his past novels!  What follows in the story is for you to see and experience such that I am trying to avoid spoilers here.

This movie triumphs in acting, from top to bottom.  The main character, “Monk”, portrayed by Jeffrey Wright is a cynical writer and professor who drives people away through his bluntness and transparency.  His direct insults serve to put a great deal of distance between himself and others.  On a lighter note, he has such a wry wit that leaves the audience laughing throughout the film.  Although his background in film has largely been in supporting roles, he handles the central character role so effortlessly that he should receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.   As for other acting notables, Sterling Brown portrays Cliff brings to life a highly complex character who also is transparent like his brother when he exclaims, “This family will break your heart!” He brings a tremendous amount of humor and levity, even in some of the more serious and tense parts of the movie.  Finally, it was a delight to see the seasoned veteran, Leslie Uggams”, on the screen as the Alzheimer’s-stricken mother of Monk and Cliff.  Having personally had a mother with that cruel disease, I can say with the utmost confidence that her portrayal is no less than exemplary.  In her role, she avoids the one-dimensional stereotypes of those who have Alzheimer’s which is oftentimes seen on the big screen.

On an unfortunate note, I found the ending to be a bit awkward.  Nevertheless, it was clever and entertaining.  I predict that this film will “have legs” such that, through word of mouth, box office returns will continue to rise for the weeks and months to come, especially following the Golden Globes and Oscar ceremonies.  I will be dutifully watching these award shows and prepared to toast the film as it has a legitimate opportunity to land Oscar nominations in Best Actor, Best Director, and, yes, even Best Picture.  These and other potential award “nods” are very well deserved!

Grade: A-

About The Peetimes: It was challenging to find good Peetimes because there are a lot of ensemble scenes, particularly with the family (and these scenes are not to be missed, if at all possible). By a longshot, I consider the second Peetime to be the very best. Secondarily, the first Peetime would be my choice. The third Peetime is the least optimal “time to go” of the three.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of American Fiction.

Rated: (R) Some Drug Use | Brief Violence | Sexual References | Language Throughout
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz
Director: Cord Jefferson
Writer(s): Cord Jefferson, Percival Everett
Language: English
Country: United States

Plot
A novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.

What people are saying
about the RunPee app.

star star star star star

dd33803, 07/05/2023

This is a great app. I wish more people would support it

This app provides info about movies, reviews, ratings from people who have seen it before and after viewing. It has links to info about the movies. It let’s you know when there will be a lull in the action and how long it will last. If you want to know what happens during that time, you can check the brief synopsis (you have to click a link, so no accidental spoilers). It has a timer you can set (silent) to alert you to a break. It also tells you whether there is anything extra during or after the credits. It’s really a wonderful app. I’ve subscribed for a couple of years to support the developers, but I noticed some of the links to provide feedback didn’t seem to work today. They also made it free, with voluntary donations to see the pee-times. If you haven’t tried it, I encourage you to do so, and subscribe if you like it. I really hope the app is supported so it can continue to be maintained!

Developers note: RunPee doesn’t make much money but it supports itself nicely. Donations are appreciated, but not required. We’ll add as many movies to the database as we can until there are no more movie theaters.

View all reviews
Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Download RunPee app

Apple App store     Google Play Store
Don’t miss your favorite movie moments because you have to pee or need a snack. Use the RunPee app (Androidor iPhone) when you go to the movies. We have Peetimes for all wide release films every week, including Moana 2, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, Kraven the Hunter, Wicked, Gladiator II and coming soon Mufasa: The Lion King, Nosferatu, A Complete Unknown and many others. We have literally thousands of Peetimes—from classic movies through today’s blockbusters. You can also keep up with movie news and reviews on our blog, or by following us on Twitter @RunPee. If there’s a new film out there, we’ve got your bladder covered.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RunPee