American Son (2008)
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100% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
41% of users liked it
(463 ratings)
A young man tries to tie up some loose ends before he goes to war in this independent drama from director Neil Abramson. Mike Holland (Nick Cannon) is nineteen years old and has just completed his basic training as a private in the United States Marine Corps. Mike has a four-day leave so he can… More A young man tries to tie up some loose ends before he goes to war in this independent drama from director Neil Abramson. Mike Holland (Nick Cannon) is nineteen years old and has just completed his basic training as a private in the United States Marine Corps. Mike has a four-day leave so he can visit his family for Thanksgiving, and then has orders for combat duty in Iraq. Mike wants to spend time with his family and friends before he ships out, but he doesn't want to tell anyone that he'll be stationed in Iraq. While taking the bus home to Bakersfield, California, Mike meets Cristina (Melonie Diaz), and it doesn't take long for him to realize he's infatuated with her. Mike makes a date to spend some time with Cristina, but he already has a busy schedule over the next four days. Mike catches up with his little sister (Erica Gluck), his doting mother (April Grace) and her taciturn new husband (Tom Sizemore), and sees his estranged father (Chi McBride) for the first time in years. Mike also hangs out with his best friend Jake (Matt O'Leary), but discovers he's begun taking a different path in life while Mike was in boot camp. And Mike happens to meet a disabled soldier back from Iraq (Jay Hernandez) who gives him an idea of what he can expect during his tour of duty. American Son was screened in competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Neil Abramson
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- On DVD
- Aug 25, 2009
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter
Stirringly told, American Son dramatizes a harsh social reality and tributes this nation's fighting force.
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Justin Chang, Variety
This is conventional dramatic material played with an occasionally heavy hand, but sculpted with care and quiet assurance by helmer Neil Abramson.
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David Thomas, Filmcritic.com
ends up being one of the strongest entries in the growing list of films about Iraq even though, ultimately, it probably doesn't belong on that list at all.
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Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
The sort of movie that folks who are addicted to a Tom Cruise-style action sequence every three minutes might dismiss as one in which "nothing happens."
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Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Several anti-war films have come along in the past couple of years calling out the war in Iraq. They've covered various conspiracies, big personalities and the front lines. But, perhaps, none have been as human as Neil Abramson's American Son.
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Cast
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Nick Cannon
as Mike Holland
- Melonie Diaz
- Matt O'Leary
- Jay Hernandez
- Tom Sizemore
- Chi McBride
- April Grace
