Oscar-worthing Film

Rating: 10/10 (22 August 2008)

American History X is in my mind a modern classic, a must see film. It is a social commentary, looking at real relations and the American prison and education systems. It was well written, well directed, but most of all, brilliantly acted.
American History X tell two stories. The first is about Danny Vinyard (Ed Furlong), a teenage member of neo-Nazis in Venice Beach, California, as he goes deeper into the crowd. The other story is about Derek (Ed Norton), a young leader of the neo-Nazis who kills two black men who try to steal his car and tell his story of his life in the group and prison. The film starts with a flash back where the Danny see the black men trying to steal the car and tell his brother who he idolises. Danny sees Derek brutally murder the two men before getting arrested. The film then goes to the present day where Danny writes book report on Mein Kampt in a positive way. This obviously gets him in trouble with his school and he is told to write a new report was going to be taught one-to-one by the African American principal Dr. Sweeney (Avery Brooks). On the same day Derek is released from prison, a reformed man. Everyone in the family was worried about Danny, and don't want him to go down the road. The neo-Nazis try to bring Danny deeper into the fold and get back Derek, but Derek fights this and tells his younger brother everything that happened to him and how his personal ideology had changed.
This is a powerful movie and I thought that it was great ever since I saw it on televisions years ago. It tackles touch issues and is brutal in its approach. It is a very well made and a great example of indie film making. It is a shame that Tony Kane has done another film and distances himself from it. Ed Norton is superb in this film and shows that he is a man who loves acting. Ed Furlong is also very good, and Avery Brooks. You see some tough race issues and how the neo-Nazis in California function. It looks at the power struggles in an American prison, and problems in American communities. There is nothing in my mind to fault this film and if you are over 16, you should watch it.