American History X A Powerful Film

Rating: 7/10 (28 June 2009)

American History X is a powerful film with equally impressive performances by Edward Norton and Edward Furlong as the two leads. Director Tony Kaye is admirable in making this movie thats definitely hard to watch at times about a former brutal neo-nazi skinhead recently released from prison who tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path he did. Edward Norton gives a great performance as Derek Vineyard the former neo-nazi released from prison who has changed forever and Edward Furlong is just as good as his trouble younger brother Danny. The rest of the cast including Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks, Ethan Suplee, Stacey Keach, Fairuza Balk, and Elliot Guild are effective as the supporting characters in their limited screen time. The movie has brutal violence, pervasive strong language, a graphic sex scene early on and then a rape, and nudity so parents should be warned to watch this first before allowing their children to see it. American History x is a powerful film and as mentioned before it's hard to watch at times but this is one movie that shouldn't be missed. Despite some flaws with the pacing this film was better than expected. Overall American History X has character development, drama, some brutal violence, and powerful performances by it's lead actors who make this movie worth the time to watch.