American Son Review

Director Kenny Leon’s cinematic rendition of the acclaimed Broadway play American Son strips down its visual elements to deliver searing dialogue that’s drenched in well-executed exposition, creating an anxiousness that helps make the small set that the film takes place in feel effectively claustrophobic. Although the dramatic script and performances don’t do enough to validate the lack of any visual flair, what unfolds ultimately succeeds at projecting a gripping story through relevant topics and the worst fears of a parent.

American Son tells the story of mother Kendra Ellis-Connor as she attempts to figure out what has happened to her missing teenage son in a South Florida police station. In a short period that must feel like lifetimes to Kendra, various pieces of potential clues and evidence start to come in, creating a struggle to ensure that her son is safe.

While many movies crumble due to their lack of cinematic style, American Son escapes this by maintaining a constant level of intrigue through the engrossing and believable monologues that are often delivered chillingly by lead actress Kerry Washington. The film's educated awareness of when to ramp up its emotional aspects succeeds more than it stumbles, helping the rising tension pick up as the story unfolds.

However, the script is in no way a revelation. Much of the cable television-quality production design can be unfortunately complemented by dialogue that feels of the same realm, sometimes using overdramatic clichés that feel too predictable. While American Son can be caught using these tropes to charge its short and to the point narrative, it luckily never hangs on them enough to completely burden the result.

Overall, Kenny Leon’s extremely safe directing partnered with the underwhelming production design may give off the impression that the script may follow suit. But the riveting progression of events that are reinforced by the powerful performance from Kerry Washington helps lift American Son above mediocrity.

Visually bland but powered by a wonderfully calculated script, American Son achieves in telling an emotional journey.

Produced By: Netflix
Runtime: 90 minutes
Rating: NR