Writer/ Director Neil Abramson seems to be on the right track in the world of independent film. His latest work American Son tackles the ever growing subject of the Iraq war to the forefront of the minds of those who don’t give it a second thought in their everyday lives. The film is based on following a Marine that is on a 4 day leave to his hometown of Bakersfield, CA during Thanksgiving before being shipped off to Iraq. This movie was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
After finishing Boot Camp, Pvt. Mike Holland (Nick Cannon) is informed that after his 96 hour pass for Thanksgiving that he will be shipped into the Iraq Theater to serve in the war. On the bus trip home, he encounters a charming young woman, Cristina (Melonie Diaz), heading to Bakersfield and becomes enthralled with her and they hit it off but with one hitch, a friend of hers lost a leg in Iraq and she was concerned if Mike was going as well and could be hurt. Mike lies about his pending deployment in hopes to retain his new found relationship. Shortly after getting back home, Mike is whisked away with old friends and is quickly reminded of the life he left. Back in the world of drugs and gangs, Mike struggles not to fall into that life in which he hates. As the 96 hours pass by, Mike is confronted with many challenges as he has to deal with his step father, is engaged with his real dad, tries to hang with his friends and start a new relationship with Cristina.
With only director commentary, a couple of deleted scenes and the “making of”, the extras section is rather barren and these features really don’t help or hurt the core of the film.
There is a good story within this film, however I don’t believe it was given all it could have been. There is quite a bit of unanswered questions, but I guess the focus was just on the 96 hours of time. The motivations of the young Marine were well received, but my biggest problem was the believability of Nick Cannon being a Marine. He didn’t really have the qualities becoming a Marine and it takes more than a haircut to make one. There is a definite resonance to the movie that should open up dialogue between the members of American families and those who choose to serve this nation.
Reviewed by Michael Albaugh
