
American Son
United States, 2008 | 87 min. | Dir. Neil Abramson
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Skepticism toward a serious drama starring Nick Cannon as a marine about to be deployed to Iraq is understandable, but American Son is a raw, honest gem, and the charismatic Cannon shows a remarkable talent for drama. With only a 96-hour Thanksgiving weekend leave before he heads to Iraq, Cannon sentimentally tries to experience life with his friends and family in desolate central California. No politics here: The point is simply that he’s somebody’s son, brother, and friend—and he’s going to war.