Entertaining and important

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 2001)

American History X is the kind of film that can get under your skin. After watching it last night I found myself going over it in my head all day. It is a tremendously powerful film that can be described as intelligent, angry, thought provoking, and at times even difficult to watch. Edward Norton and Edward Furlong both give breath-taking performances in this story about racism and its many pitfalls. What impressed me most about this movie is that it made legitimate arguments on both side of the racism issue forcing the viewer to realize that racism, like most major social issues, is never simply a matter of `black and white'.
While my feelings against racism remain strong this movie showed me that that a person can be both right and wrong simultaneously. One scene depicts Norton killing two black men who are breaking into his truck, the same truck his deceased father left him. At first glance it would seem that Norton's actions are justified by protecting his family and property. The sinister grin on Norton's face as he is arrested, however, illustrates that Norton's true motivation was hate and that deep down he had been waiting for an opportunity like that for some time. Also at first glance it might appear that the thieves earned their punishment by breaking into Norton's truck but did the punishment fit the crime? It is exactly that type of gray area that this film illustrates so well.
Finally, the cinematography in this film was incredible. Tony Kaye did a spectacular job with both the cinematography and direction mixing up the scenes between color and black and white. This combined with Kaye's unique camera angles gave this movie a look and feel all its own. American History X, only Kaye's second major project, will long be remembered as not only a very entertaining film but a very important one as well.

Kaye hit a home run with this film. From the direction and casting all the way down to costume design American History X is a very solid flic. This movie is such an eye opener that I would suggest that every teenager in America see this it, regardless of background or where one lives. American History X has many important lessons to teach and does so in an extremely entertaining way. See this movie with your kids!