38 - American Fiction: Johnny Walker Blues

The Rabbit Fighters dive into this Cord Jefferson-directed adaptation of the 2001 novel Erasure, by Percival Everett. 

American Fiction follows a frustrated African-American novelist-professor Thelonious "Monk" Ellison. While his novels receive academic praise, they sell poorly, and publishers reject his latest manuscript for not being "Black enough". 

In a fit of despair about his writing not being taken seriously, he writes a book full of stereotypes called My Pafology as a joke under the pseudonym Stagg R Leigh…except the book rockets him to fame in the publishing and movie world. He has to decide whether to reveal himself and accept the fame or blow the whole thing up.

The film stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody and Keith David.

Next Week - Brian's Pick: Desert Island Selections

And as always, you can check out the RF's ongoing companion playlist on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠.