American History X

Rating: Null/10 (1 June 2004)

American History X
The film American History X highlights the problems of race in America. Throughout the history of the country, America has been considered a fairly racist union. Written by David McKenna and directed by Tony Kaye, the film unfolds through the eyes of Danny Vineyard (Edward Furlong), who idolizes his old brother, Derek (Edward Norton), a former neo-nazi skinhead. They both come under the influence of a neo-Nazi, who befriends white youths living in Venice beach. When their father is murdered by a black, Derek is consumed by pain, grief and anger, eventually leading him to the skinheads. When he murders two blacks trying to steal his car, he is sent to prison, where he undergoes a transformation. He actually meets a black man, for the first time in his life; he changes his mind partly because he learns something, which is what prevent the film from being infuriating. He leaves a changed man, who attempts to rescue his younger brother from a similar fate. In the film there are unnerving scenes of racial violence: of blacks youth kicking a helpless white student in a high school restroom; of a Korean-owned grocery store terrorized by skinheads thugs; of an African American whose skull is split open by a skinhead who orders him to lie face down on a curb. I think anyone really loves this movie, but nobody really dislikes it. I have seen American History X four times and, for me, it is my favourite film. It is a masterpiece. I recommend everybody to see this movie because they feel opposite feelings during the movie. If I have to mark this film, my note is 9.5/10.