American Son

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

Speaking from a veteran this movie is spot on for me and the salient life details that soldiers often face at home on leave. Only soldiers can relate to that and it is refreshing to see it reflected.

From the first credits to the final scene of American Son is a complete masterpiece. Neil Abramson co-wrote and directed this story of a 19 year old Marine named Mike, who on a four day Thanksgiving leave, must let his family and friends in Bakersfield know that after that leave, he will be deployed to Iraq and on his way home from training camp, meets a young woman he ultimately falls in love with and ultimately must decide between his home life and his soldier side. Nick Cannon gives what I think would be the performance of a lifetime as this young soldier, he must tell his mother, his step father, played brilliantly by Tom Sizemore, his long time best friend, and his newly found love. THis film is one of the best depictions of a soldier going off into combat and the inner turmoil he faces with his choice to leave what he considers home. This film is understated and I believe deserves to be seen by everyone at least once in their lifetime.

This film was beyond excellent. How is it at a mere 5.5? Transformers 2 has a higher rating. Everything was great in this movie. The story. The acting. The music. The direction. First off, Nick Cannon has proved that he is more than just a great actor, he's an extraordinary actor. His performance was Oscar worthy. Jay Hernandez has a small role here, but he was also incredible. Also a great performance by Matt O'Leary as Nick Cannon's friend Jake. This film deserved multiple Oscar nominations including best picture. It's short at only 85 minutes, but a LOT happens and not a single second feels wasted. This film was funny, sad, and deeply moving. This movie deserves at least an 8.0. Incredible

The sound and cinematography was great and the actors did well.

For all the youth that served after 9/11 I salute them but there is one serious that stands out to me. How can he be a fresh Marine out of boot camp and having flashbacks from battle if he has not been in combat yet?

It definitely added impact to the movie but again HOW could he be having combat flashbacks if he has not been in combat yet?

Worth the time to watch but not one of the best post 9/11 movies concerning military service.