A Teen's Thoughts

Rating: Null/10 (7 January 2003)

American History X is one of those rare films that you can watch over and over and over again, for days on end, and still vividly enjoy it, each time. Edward Norton (as Derek Vinyard) gives what many will agree to be the performance of his (or anyones) career. In a stark physical transformation, he bulks up, shaves his head, grows out a goatee, and seethes with positive hatred for everything he's not. It is a literally awesome performance. Also noteworthy are, Edward Furlong as Dereks younger brother Danny, Stacy Keach as the slyly manipulative Cameron Alexander, and Ethan Suplee as the dangerously temperamental Seth. All these characters seem as if they were derived from actual people, and their performances equal that credibility. A warning: American History X is not for the faint of heart, it is a violent, stark, blunt, and certainly profane study of Racism in Modern Day America. But it's raw power, and visual poetry will leave you astounded, as a day in the life of a brother desperately trying to do what's right heads on into a stunning, emotional climax. Raw. Powerful. Thrilling. Involving. American History X will stay with you forever.