Intelligent, outspoken black writer and west coast college professor Thelonious Ellison is going through a tumultuous period: his published novels receive academic praise yet remain unpopular and sell poorly, plus his latest manuscript is rejected for not being "black" enough. On top of that, he travels to Boston to see his less than ideal family, but being around them won't exactly take the edge off. Out of frustration, he writes a novel that panders to the stereotypical African-American experience while adopting the pseudonym "Stagg R. Lee," but is floored when it begins to sell like gangbusters! Now he has to keep up with the ridiculous charade if he hopes to maintain his success. Wright gives an impeccably nuanced performance in this smart, hilariously profane and provocative satire that features characters who talk and act like real people, and also struggle to deal with relatable family conflicts. Brown is also solid in a showy role as Wright's good-for-nothing little brother, though he could've benefited from more screentime. An imperfect ending doesn't provide quite the same amount of punch as the rest of the movie, but that doesn't diminish the viewing experience either. ***