Watch American Son

American Son is a 2008 drama film directed by Neil Abramson and written by Eric Schmid. It stars Nick Cannon as Mike, an eighteen-year-old struggling to find himself while serving in the Army. The film follows Mike through a six-day leave from Iraq to visit his family in Bakersfield, California. Mike's mother, Alicia, played by Melonie Diaz, is a Puerto Rican immigrant who works as a secretary. Mike's stepfather, Dale, played by Tom Sizemore, is a white American ex-Marine who works as a prison guard. Mike's younger brother, Jake, played by Matt Sigloch, is a high school student who idolizes his older brother. Finally, Mike's friend, David, played by Dotan Baer, is a fellow soldier who comes from a wealthy Jewish family.

The film explores themes of identity, culture clash, and the impact of war on soldiers and their families. Mike's experiences in Iraq have left him disillusioned and feeling like he doesn't belong in the military or in his hometown. He is haunted by the deaths of his comrades and unsure of what he wants to do with his life.

When Mike returns home on leave, he finds that his family and friends don't understand what he's been through. They try to connect with him, but their attempts only serve to highlight the divide between Mike and the people he loves. Mike's mother and stepfather argue about politics and race, which adds to the tension in the household.

Jake, who has been selling drugs to make money, tries to impress Mike by showing off a gun he bought. Mike is alarmed by his brother's behavior and tries to steer him onto a better path. David invites Mike to a party at his family's house, which is full of wealthy young people who are out of touch with the realities of war.

Throughout the film, Mike is forced to confront his own feelings of alienation and despair. He struggles to reconnect with his family and friends, and he is haunted by memories of his time in Iraq. As the film progresses, Mike begins to realize that he needs to find his own way in life, regardless of what others expect of him.

The acting in American Son is strong across the board, with Nick Cannon delivering a particularly powerful performance as the conflicted protagonist. The film also features a strong soundtrack, featuring songs by Mos Def and other artists.

Overall, American Son is a sobering portrait of a young man struggling to find his place in the world. The film explores themes of identity, culture clash, and the impact of war on soldiers and their families with sensitivity and depth. Though it is a difficult and emotional film to watch at times, it is ultimately a rewarding and thought-provoking experience.

American Son is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.