Anchored by a tour de force performance from Jeffrey Wright, writer and first-time director Cord Jefferson’s film is a confident work that delights in exploring thorny concepts through humour and clear-minded irreverence.

Cord Jefferson, who previously made episodes of Watchmen and The Good Life, marries a light touch and broad humour with affecting familial dysfunction and biting observations on race. Cultural crises are seldom so entertaining.

This satire shouldn't be laugh-out-loud funny ... but it is.

A formidable actor who has lent his support to everyone from James Bond to Katniss Everdeen, Jeffrey Wright finally lands the (leading) role of his career in this black comedy about Black literature.