One of the most powerful movies in years.

Rating: 10/10 (26 August 1999)

Powerful, moving, and at some times touching, "American history X" is all that. Plus, it has a great script, great directing, and above all, great acting especially by Edward Norton in the lead role as the neo-Nazi.

After having shot and killed two black people as they were trying to break into his car, Derek Vinyard (Norton) is sent up the river for three years, a journey he will never forget. When he is released, Derek seems to have changed a whole lot while he was in prison and as soon as he gets home, he tells his young brother (Edward Furlong) who looks up to him as if he were looking up to God, that he doesn't want him to get involved in the Nazi community as he did. He also tells his kid brother not to attend a Nazi party that is held the same night Derek just got out. Not listening to his big brother, Danny attends the party and is caught red-handed by Derek.

It is at the party that we see just how much Derek has changed. He even goes so far as to asking his girlfriend to follow him by leaving the Nazi party and its community for ever. After she refuses, Derek finds his brother Danny at the party and escapes with him. After the escape, Derek tells Danny what happened to him in jail and makes him understand why he changed and why Danny should as well.
The movie doesn't have any flaws and is powerful all along. However, it is Norton who brings this movie to stardom with his compelling performance as Derek Vinyard. Don't miss it.