The best movie I've seen in a while

Rating: 10/10 (14 August 2005)

American History X is a very important movie. It delivers its point (the effects and seeds of racism in middle-class America) unabashedly. At points the film is grotesque (I won't say what, but I was trying to tell a friend about one scene and I couldn't even say it, it was so disturbing!!!) and sickening. Even just the mindset of Derek (played MASTERFULLY by Edward Norton) at certain points in the movie was horrifying. However, racism itself is a horrifying, electric issue that should not be handled lightly. A movie to compare American History X with is Crash, which tackles the issue of racism, but with a lot less subtlety and sincerity. And though it bears an R rating, the film feels so restrained, like the actors made it just to have something activist-ish on their resumes. American History X, however, shies away from no subject, and in its honesty delivers an uplifting message and a dire warning. The script and cinematography are excellent, but what stands out most is Edward Norton's performance. He is my favorite actor (and I don't take that title lightly), and gives a good reason why in American History X. Such complex, wildly different emotions (his apparent satisfaction killing some black men who were attempting to steal his car, his turnaround, guilt, and utterly moving explosion of grief at the end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Overall, an incredible movie.