Excellent and moving..."flaws" do not interfere.

Rating: Null/10 (15 October 1999)

This movie is wonderful, and many of the flaws others have explained did not take away the power of this film for me. Some have wondered why it took Danny only one night to change all his views his brother taught him. But you have to remember something about Danny. He was doing many of it just to please others. Think of when Seth came over with the video camera and demanded Danny recite everything he was taught, and Danny began regurgitating information in a monotone, as if he truly didn't care. It was only when Seth began harping on him that Danny gave him what he wanted and began spouting racist garbage.
As far as Derek goes, I agree that the change in him was a bit sudden, but we didn't see his three years in prison, 24 hours a day. A lot happens over time and prison is a strange place where one's mind undergoes all SORTS of changes. Perhaps the film makers could have developed it a bit more, but then maybe people would be whining about how the pacing was too slow.
Without revealing the ending, let's say it is perfectly ironic and purely sad. It leaves you feeling as if you were punched in the chest, it's that powerful. The photography is beautiful in the beginning and final scenes, and the montage of black and white versus color is tastefully done. Never have I seen a film that uses flashbacks so wonderfully. Through each scene we receive a little bit more of the puzzle. (The flashback that seemed most essential to me was Derek and his father at the dinner table).

Another film I was almost glad never took off in flying numbers at the box office. Fame almost tends to cheapen certain films. See this movie, it is unique and extremely well made.