A brutal Edward Norton makes you sit up through this American history

Rating: 9/10 (13 December 2008)

It is a powerhouse performance by Edward Norton that drives this compelling drama to a whole new height. Mr. Norton plays “Derek” a Nazi skinhead ex-convict who tries to prevent his younger brother “Danny”, played astutely by Edward Furlong, from going down the same path.
The movie is narrated by both these protagonists as plots and sub-plots get unfolded smoothly. The plot is relatively simple but it’s the natural ease with which all actors play their parts that ignites the story. Mr.Norton is absolutely convincing as the angry young man, furious at his social system and in the process gets caught up in his own ideologies.Scowling and scoffing at anyone who is non-white, Mr. Norton delivers a performance worthy of his Oscar nomination; a perfect foil to the timid “Narrator” of Fight club. The scene in which he grins at his brother as he gets arrested and then the shocking realization as he is dragged away from his family is a gem.
The other actors including Edward Furlong have played their parts extremely well. The characters have been sketched extremely well and reflect the contemporary American society. Edward Furlong as “Danny” who worships his brother reminds a little of the spoiled child in T2-Judgement Day. Derek’s mom, the mentor “Mr.Sweeny” and even Mr. Norton’s friend in prison, all are memorable characters that do stick in your mind.
The film does have flaws. I found the movie a little short for its social undertone, but that’s acceptable since the director did not want to delve too much into Derek’s past. But his transition from the brutal skinhead to the redeemed prisoner is not as developed as one might expect. This is where the movie could have gained more intensity. It is not really clear why Mr. Norton lands in trouble. As a result, this sequence alone comes out half baked; a very crucial under-development to the storyline. Typical of its genre, the redeemed man is not let off the hook that easily. We know life is going to come hard on Mr. Norton. The shattering climax was expected but not surrealistic. "History X" suffers from falling into stereotypes so characteristic of it's genre. Nevertheless, it is a hard hitting movie on racism and depicts the underlying tensions in an American neighborhood with absolute sincerity. However it’s the charismatic Mr. Norton who elevates this 'just another tale of redemption' into a cinematic masterpiece. The bottom line;racism is a cancer. You try hard to wipe it out; it reappears in some other way more lethal than ever before. Watch American History X for its greatness in its social message; Watch it for “Derek”. As a cinema goer you will be enthralled; as a human being you will be concerned.