American Son

American Son is a gem of intimacy, conflict, and the poetry of Americans living their choices. I have always leaned toward movies that illuminate the inner emotion of people as they work through relationships and vulnerabilities. Nick Cannon is masterful in expressing the scorchingly intense emotion of his introverted and torn character, Mike, who is so authentic and such a quality guy --- I feel as if I knew him or people like him, though I cannot bring them to mind... I probably met them in passing over the years.

Neil Abramson deserves great kudos for directing this riveting and engaging film. It is not riveting in the sense of feverish constant action --- which I only find annoying anyway, with its self-conscious, intrusive camera work as in the Bourne movies. Rather, American Son is riveting in the sense of losing oneself in the lives of these people. Melonie Diaz is excellent as Christina, in her vulnerability and intense love for Mike, which she tries to keep hidden... you can feel her fear of being hurt by this wonderful guy who has joined this war.

The movie made me hurt for all people who have had to fight or loved anybody who went to war. These goodbyes have been a part of human history since forever. So much pain. I won't get political here, but I grew up with the Vietnam War in my life, and I truly thought when it ended after those ten arduous and agonizing years, that America was done dealing with war. So young I was.

This movie really made me teary in some scenes and i never cry in movies. NEVER! This is seriously to date, the first and only movie that I have ever cried at. Why? Because i'm a heartless bastard. That's why. This movie must have given me a heart, because I felt so emotionally involved with the characters and the story that I did, no joke, cry. I loved this movie. I love this movie with all the love a loving lover can love with. Love. love. love.

Seriously though. This film is incredible. It's too bad that so few people have actually seen it.

Please check it out. It's great

I saw a rough cut of this movie in Los Angeles. A friend of mine was involved with post- production and he invited me to a screening. I didn't know what to expect -- I'd only seen Nick Cannon in Drumline and thought he was kind of lightweight. Not so in this movie. Basically, the story follows him for a few days before he's about to be sent of to Iraq, and in this short time, he falls in love with a girl he's just met.

The movie is very powerful and heartbreaking but it somehow doesn't feel depressing. I've seen a few other Iraq war movies, but this one all takes place in the US, and it's not really a war movie. It's more like a coming of age film.

The performances were great -- especially the kid who plays Nick Cannon's best friend -- and the story is gripping as hell. The cut i saw was terrific and i am really looking forward to seeing the final version.

I saw this movie at a screening in LA with some friends and was very moved.

The story is in essence about a young marine who returns home for the first time since joining the army for Thanksgiving, before being shipped to Iraq. The movie follows his story for the 3 or 4 days of his visit home.

The movie is very topical, but subtle too - and deals with the sensitive effects of war on family, and young men whose lives are essentially put on pause for the Iraq war.

It is poignant that Mike meets Christina, someone who he really feels he could care about, the weekend before he is shipped to Iraq. Young love is not even given a chance because of war.

The style of the movie is very realistic, great dialogue and acting. It is very well directed. My personal favorite character is Matt O'Leary as Jake, whose performance is outstanding. April Grace portrays the mother of a soldier incredibly well.

In short, I think this movie is excellent - and as citizens of the world, it sheds important insights onto the current political situation. Not necessarily political or macro insights, although those are there to be interpreted, but certainly a personal view of war - and how it affects individual families.

It gives me more conviction that we should stop sending our wonderful young men over there to die!

You're a young black marine. You have 96 hours leave before being posted to Iraq for more than a year. How do you break the news to your family? What will you get up to in the last period of civilian life you'll have for a while? And will you trying calling that cute girl you met on the way back home? Decisions, decisions...

American Son is what I would refer to as a tepid drama. Everyone involved gives their all, and it all feels pretty realistic. It's just all a little too by-the-numbers for my liking, from the booze-filled parties he attends filled with clothes-shedding nymphets (don't these girls have any self respect) to the decision to inform all and sundry he's off just a few hours before departure. Cue the waterworks, before a quick acceptance. And if you think he's going to spend a bonk-filled final rendezvous with this young lady in a hotel he's known for all of three days... BANG! You win the internet!!

One last question: Our lead seems like a really nice guy... so why are all his friends complete jerks? If I was him, I would dump the lot.... and start afresh. Well, that's what we do with bad Scrabble letters, anyway.... 5/10