perhaps one of the most poignant films ever made

Rating: Null/10 (18 December 2000)

To me film making is an art. Countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears to create this permanent chunk of art, so to speak. Film conveys a message unlike any other form of art. It's visual in an almost liveable way. American History X feels like a liveable film. Our society as a whole is quite imperfect. Human beings are quite imperfect. We deal with each other daily. Some choose to live their lives to the fullest, some choose to live their lives in anger towards one another. American History X taught me (and this is one of the things I love most about art..a person can learn more about the concept of humanity through art) that hatred will always exist. It's an unstoppable evil within our society. If a person can learn to live their life in a positive way instead of a negative one, then there is a chance that they not only improve their own life, but the lives around them. Now that I've rambled about overly indulgent dribble, I should comment on the actual film. Many films are made to be viewed by a certain demographic, race, sex, etc. American History X, although the title could be seen as almost ethnocentric, is a film about society as a whole. It's a statement about people as a whole. Not to say that everyone is a racist, or bigot, or hypocrite or...anyway..the film is a very good vehicle for showing some of the major weaknesses people have. The viewer is shown what may go through the mind of certain people who choose to hate, simply because they're ignorant, or a product of their surroundings. It's hard to describe the power of this film if you haven't seen it. I've seen it many times, and it still takes my breath away. Edward Norton gives the performance of his career. The other acting is strong as well. The cinematography fits the story, the mood fits the story..hell everything in this film contributes to the overall quality of the film, its message, and the way it will take its place in cinema history, not just American History, but world history.