American Skin is worth seeing, for the issues Parker seeks to address, even if it only partially works in leaving a mark.

Instead of lending immediacy, the padded-out documentary conceit only spotlights the stiltedness, and Parker falls short of building credible drama out of urgent issues.

Infuriatingly manipulative and insufferably preachy, "American Skin" examines the cultural issues tearing apart our nation and reduces them to cheap theatrics.

An embarrassing and ham-fisted production posing as a topical provocation on police brutality and race relations in modern American society.