This summer saw the release of one of the best Iraq War-related films ever made and one of the best movies of the summer. Of course, I’m talking about The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow’s white-knuckle thriller about a bomb disposal unit stationed in Baghdad. The film succeeds not only on the strength of the disarmament sequences but also because it never questions the role of the men at war. It’s almost as if it wants to say, “You’re in the suck…now deal with it.” American Son, an indie feature seeing release on DVD, is in a similar boat but makes its points with considerably less bombast but also a lack of grace. A slow moving film that mistakes subtlety for substance, American Son nevertheless has something to offer discerning viewers.
Unlike most war films, American Son takes place in the 96 hours prior to the deployment of Marine private Mike Holland (Nick Cannon). At 19, Mike faces the uncertainty of his choices when he returns to Bakersfield, California in time for Thanksgiving. On the bus to Bakersfield, he meets Cristina (Melonie Diaz), a Latina to whom Mike takes a liking. The time limit provides respite to the film, allowing it to skip hours as it pleases although the films slender 86-minute runtime still feels too long. As Mike, Cannon (a lightweight but charismatic actor) gives an unusual performance, grinning more often than I could count, almost hiding his face to outrun his character’s emotions. Diaz is appropriately sweet as Cristina, although her relationship with Mike strains credibility as it develops to serious heights within only a few days.
American Son, on the other hand, is leisured in its pacing, keeping an eye on its protagonist with seemingly a passing fancy. Mike reconnects with old friends (a white entourage that seems to hint at something but never makes it clear), trades few words with his stepfather (Tom Sizemore), and flirts and hooks up with Cristina. Respected character actor Chi McBride makes a brief impression as Mike’s estranged father, although he disappears in the background as the Mike-Cristina romance takes center stage.
One could commend the director Neil Abramson and Eric Schmid for avoiding the typical conflicts that plague most wartime films, the fight-or-flee debate that rages within the mind of the would-be warrior. Mike owns up to the fact that he doesn’t exactly know why he signed up, though the film strongly suggested he did so to get away from the stillness and boredom of Bakersfield. His friends are largely white wankstas, perhaps another statement that doesn’t receive so much as a second glance. Mike and the film drift in and out of scenes that ape everyday life but feel empty of substance.
American Son overstays its welcome even as its bravely ambiguous conclusion comes across honest and powerful. Mike’s story doesn’t have much basis for conflict nor does his romance with Cristina feel realistic but rather rushed. A character drama without much character development, the film remains stagnant; but Cannon works hard to make Mike count as more than just a symbol of the hesitant young recruit, faced with certain departure to a combat zone. In the end, the film is not memorable but not immediately forgotten, occupying the limbo of the films that almost made it.
DVD Bonus Features
The DVD extras include an earnest commentary track with director Neil Abramson and producers Danielle Renfrew and Michael Roiff, an 11-minute featurette “On Leave in Bakersfield,” a literal behind-the-scenes look at the production that catches several scenes in rehearsal and makes the comparison between that and the finished scenes. Finally included are two deleted scenes with commentary.
"American Son" is on sale August 25, 2009 and is rated R. Drama, War. Directed by Neil Abramson. Written by Neil Abramson and Eric Schmid. Starring Chi McBride, Jay Hernandez, Melonie Diaz, Nick Cannon, Tom Sizemore.
