Uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding

Rating: 9/10 (3 January 2007)

American History X attempts to do what many would consider unthinkable; to take a vile, disgusting neo-Nazi and portray him into a hero. How exactly does it go about doing that? By showing us his human side. Derek Vinyard's (Ed Norton,)father is killed by a group of black kids. Filled with rage, he becomes prey for Cameron Alexander (Stacey Keach,) leader of the local Aryan Brotherhood. Derek makes a name for himself,and it's not long before he lands himself in the clink. To his own surprise, he befriends an African-American convict (Guy Torry,) who ends up saving his life when Derek's skinhead buddies turn against him. Upon his release, he is disturbed to see his younger brother, Danny (Edward Furlong) following in Big Brother's footsteps.
I first rented this film out of curiosity, thinking it would portray racism in the typical Hollywood, sugar-coated fashion. Oh, how wrong I was. It was easily one of the most brutal films ever. Norton gives an outstanding performance, at once terrifying and yet uncomfortably human. Edward Fulong is also solid as the young, confused Danny. Beverly D'Angelo (as their mother,) Elliot Gould and Avery Brooks as teachers at their school, and Fairuza Balk as Derek's Nazi girlfriend all lend strong support, but, ultimately, it is Norton's show, and he runs with it.