Edward Norton is Chilling

Rating: 8/10 (22 July 2012)

Derek(Edward Norton) and his younger brother, Danny(Edward Furlong) are growing up in Los Angeles when their father, a fireman, is killed while fighting a blaze in east L.A. by a drug dealer. Derek joins a neo nazi group. He kills two black gang members as they are trying to steal his truck. He is sentenced to three years, and is raped by white supremacists for being friendly with a black inmate.
Derek is visited by a black teacher from the high school he attended and is told of his brother Danny associating with the racist group on the outside. As Derek is released from prison, he is informed of his brother handing a positive book report on Mein Kampf.
The structure of the movie is non linear, with color used for the present, and black and white for the past. The climax happens when Derek confronts the neo nazi leader, Cameron(Stacy Keach) regarding the recruitment of his brother into the group.
Director Tony Kaye had good intentions, and Edward Norton is perfect in the lead role, but the last third seemed a bit contrived and preachy for my taste. In spite of its' flaws, American History X is worth watching.