Gritty Realism

Rating: 10/10 (25 May 2006)

This movie will shatter your idea about race relations in the United States. Unlike the hot new Oscar Winning movie about race "Crash" which was much more contrived and star-studded, "American History X" features the gritty and realistic side of racism instead.
Filmed both in Black and White (with the scenes involving the past events) and color (with the present tense) the film moved at a pace which totally envelopes the viewer. Even though some scenes are extremely graphic and often hard to watch, the violence and gore in the movie is not gratouitous or without meaning. Each time there is a gun or a fist in this movie it is to make a serious point, and or a display of power from different characters.
Actors Edward Norton and Edward Furlong offer the performances of both of there lifetimes as the closely knit brothers Danny and Derek. Norton, as Derek, is especially chilling as a Neo-Nazi turned Redemption Seeker in the story.
This is an extremely important and very timely movie. See it with your family members and with people who may not fully understand the importance of race relations in the United States.