American Son

Sorry, did I miss something? This would've been way better as a 1 hour short.. The entire movie takes place over 96 hours pretty much, and you mean to tell me that he was being introduced to this girl's friends and entire family without even knowing her for 48 hours? Then they're off romanticizing as if they've been in love for months?? This movie had too many scenes that jumped the gun and lacked depth (like Mike beating some guy at a party to a pulp for ??, hitting on Cristina?), I thought that guy was gonna come back for revenge and shoot one of them or something, but nothing happened at all. And then I thought there was going to be a serious rift with Mike and his best friend after they got into an argument while playing basketball, but then they were best friends again in the next scene? Overall I walked away from this movie holding nothing. It wasn't the actor's faults tho, they all did a pretty good job, it was just a ridiculous script. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is cuz I like Nick Cannon and Melanie Diaz is a cutie

Have you ever imagine what would you do if you have 96 hours before you are being drafted to war zone? Places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Places where you never know if you are going to be back alive, and in one piece. Places so foreign that you wonder whether you will feel settled in once you get there. Places where you know for certain that not many people over there who are happy to see you, and just as glad to see you go away. This is what the film is all about. About an American who has been chosen to serve as military man in Iraq. A man who went back to his hometown for Thanksgiving, and who has 96 hours before he will be sent to Iraq to serve his country. This is a very good film. A film that has makes you wanna let the powers-that-be to seriously consider calling the troops in foreign countries to return back home, to their family and friends. The film was nominated for 1 award. Though it didn't win, it goes to show how good the film is.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

I can completely relate. My question is when are they going to make a movie about the life of a Female military member? They have all these war movies and military movies that are all about Men in the military, why not make one about the Females? It is hard for us too, being in a male dominate career field. I love the movies about my brothers at war...but where is the love for the sisters fighting too? I do think that this was a Great movie. It really throws down how it feels to come home after going to Boot. Friends and family do not understand that it is not just a job, it is also a commitment, a life style that one chooses when they sign that dotted line. You don't actually realize how much you have changed as a person until you go back home after about a year or so of training and see all your old friends doing nothing with their lives.