“American Fiction” is one of ten films nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award and has received nominations in several other categories. Writer/director Cord Jefferson has been nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, having already won an Emmy in 2019 for his HBO  series “Watchmen.” Along with a gifted cast and a talent for satire, Jefferson has created an insightful and engaging tale about the role of Black fiction in today’s reading marketplace.

A full-time professor and scholar, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), specializes in the plays of ancient Greek writers and is now working on an updated version of Aeschylus. His agent tells him that when the public reads a book by a Black author, they expect to read about life in the ghetto, and he reminds Monk how well Sintara Golden’s books are selling because she writes about Black women in the inner city. Walking past the local bookstore, Monk sees Sintara reading an excerpt from her latest book, “We’s Lives in Da Ghetto,” to a rapt white audience. He is appalled by the stereotypes and clichés he hears.

As an exercise in “Black writing,” Monk goes home and begins writing a book entitled “My Pafology,” filling it with clichéd descriptions of Black male urban life. Embarrassed by the quality of what he has written, he signs the manuscript with a pseudonym, Stagg R. Leigh, and sends it to his agent (John Ortiz), who responds with enthusiasm and the certainty that he can sell it to a publisher. Monk agrees to the arrangement because his true identity will not appear on the cover. He even suggests changing the title of the book to “Fuck.”

Because Jefferson is a skilled scriptwriter, he does not rely solely on the satire in this movie but fleshes out his leading character. Monk has grown up in an educated family, and we observe him interacting with his mother and siblings. His sister, Lisa, has had a career as a medical doctor. His younger brother, Clifford (Sterling K. Brown), is rebellious, outwardly gay, and openly combative. Although he has little screen time, Brown creates an indelible image. Their father has passed away, and the family cherishes their mother, Agnes (Leslie Uggams, probably the most famous actor in the film). Agnes, whose health is failing, is cared for by Lorraine (Myra Taylor), a live-in housekeeper.

Monk, a talented and honorable man, is not always affable or easy to get along with. Critical of others, he even has trouble establishing a romantic relationship with an attractive and interesting new neighbor. Coraline (Erika Alexander), a lawyer, is not intimidated by Monk’s academic credentials and publishing successes.

Besides its well-written script and relevant theme, “American Fiction” is rich with talented actors. Jeffrey Wright has been nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Sterling K. Brown as Best Actor in a Supporting Role.