You’d be excused for feeling skeptical about Nick Cannon appearing in a serious drama about a Marine about to be shipped off to Iraq. And if knowing it’s from Neil Abramson -- director of the Jerry Springer trainwreck "Ringmaster" – turns you off altogether, well, no one will blame you.

But "American Son" is blessed with a powerful, honest screenplay by first-timer Eric Schmid, and Cannon -- who has always been charismatic, if nothing else -- displays a remarkable talent for drama. Abramson has done some documentary work since "Ringmaster" (a film that I assume he’s embarrassed about, too), and that eye for real human drama helps make "American Son" a compelling picture.

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Grade: B

Not rated, probably R for pervasive harsh profanity, brief violence, brief nudity and sexuality

1 hr., 27 min.