flawed execution, but Norton is amazing

Rating: 7/10 (11 October 2002)

By now you probably know the basic plot, so I won't recount it. The problem is that the overall message of the film - racism is malignant and doesn't provide the solace it promises - is completely undermined by Norton's presentation. He gives a truly stunning performance, but his character (Danny) is so much more appealing when he's the mesmerizing racist poster boy. When he returns from prison, after having sorted out all of his prior racist ideology, he's much less interesting to watch. It was actually disturbing to me how sexy he was, shirtless in the street, after having just killed someone in one of the most violent ways I've ever encountered. It's hard to buy the idea that racism is bad when it comes in such an attractive package, especially when its opposite is presented as feminized and weak.
This movie had high ambitions, and almost reached them, but in the end misses its target by letting Norton be TOO good.