AMERICAN SON is a dramatic film about a young Marine, but it is not a war film. Mike (Nick Cannon) is shipping out to Iraq, but not before visiting home for Thanksgiving leave. It focuses on Mike’s parting relationships with his best friend Jake (Matt O’Leary), a new girlfriend Christina (Melonie Diaz), his mother Donna (April Grace), and father Eddie (Chi McBride) over 96 hours. Throughout the film, a countdown to how many hours Mike has left is shown, helping the viewer feel the inner turmoil he faces with trying to tell everyone the truth of his leaving and explain his decision.
Matt plays Jake, your typical bad ass, that seems only concerned with getting his buddy, and himself, laid. It is clear he is earning his money through drug deals, but tries to hide this from Jake. Matt’s performance adds comic relief to an otherwise heavy subject. The highlight of the film is when he takes drugs and ends up on top of a billboard.
Matt Screen Time
A fair amount, about 30 minutes spread throughout the film.
Awards
- Nominated for Grand Jury Prize -- Neil Abramson
- 2008 Sundance Film Festival
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