American Son

Kerry's depiction of a mother worries for her missing son is highly believable. The fact that she, who is black, is met by a young police officer, who is white, and that they have to grapple with their individual reactions to each other i.e. inexperience and all too common micro aggressions on his part and a different lived experience and suspicion on her part made for uncomfortable but riveting scenes. Also loved the scene between her and the more seasoned cop which, besides displaying an overuse of force by a black officer, also delivered some difficult truths.

I love that there were so many layers to the plot besides the scenes between the mother and the police officers. The film also succeeds in showing the aftermath of a marriage that has completely broken down and just how far people can drift from those first blissful moments in a relationship. Anyone whose ever been through a bitter break-up will surely recognize the truths in these scenes.

The transition from Broadway to television was, in my opinion, extremely well done. The focus was squarely on the four performers which is where it should be and not on a whole lot of Hollywood-type frills. Makes me wish I had seen the original play.

This is adapted from a Broadway play, and it plays out like one as well. One setting, four characters, if that's not your thing then maybe avoid it. A mixed-race couple at a police station await word on their son's involvement in a police incident. It gets intense and you will be angry and annoyed and more.

It's a little too timely and it cuts deep. It gives you a slight window into the reality of black America. Maybe it will open your minds or make you see things from another angle.

... about stereotypes, prejudice, selective perception, (mis)interpretation and racism from everyone to everyone.

I love many different kinds of film. And I didn't read or see anything about this one before watching. So i had no expectations at all.

For me it was an emotional roller coaster from start to end. The acting, the script, even the simple setting were perfect. Of course you need to appreciate much dialogue. This movie uses words, and words only, to make you feel. There are no crime, no action scenes or the like at all. It doesn't need it!

Maybe some negative- reviewers don't get this movie and it's clear statement, because they didn't watch it till the end?!

To those who felt repulsed or annoyed by who- or whatever: try to get through these uncomfortable feelings open-minded, because:

YOU NEED TO WATCH IT TILL THE END TO FULLY UNDERSTAND!

By the way to dislike a well played annoying character doesn't make the play/ movie bad. Maybe on the contrary: isn't it a possibility to reflect?!

And to those who felt nothing but bored: i feel sorry for your lack of empathy!

Who green lit this? I don't usually leave reviews but i have to...

Every single character was annoying AF! The name of this should be American Extra cuz some of the arguments was just extra as hell.

As a young black dude I can appreciate what the movie was trying to do/say but it was just a Little much. Kerry Washington was the most annoying and it pains me to say that cuz I really like her. Like they went so overboard wit the black/white dynamic that she has to make a a disgusted sound cuz her husband ordered black coffee?!!! Cut that s*** all the way out! That was corny and just one of the many times I smh cuz of the stupid way theses arguments came about.

Overly dramatic trash forreal and i can honestly tell y'all that after I saw about 40 mins of this and saw the set up I put in my headphones and listened to it like an audio book at work. That's The only reason I gave it an extra star (3) is cuz that made it a little more tolerable!

Anyone that says this movie was one sided clearly lives a one sided life. At first the movie seems to be a cop smashing, white hating movie but it's not. This was one of the best middle ground, both sides represented movie I've ever seen. It explains both sides of the equation and I highly recommend all people see it it would be good to get a perspective from law enforcement as well as the African American side of life