Transformation too good to be true, but an amazing film nonetheless

Rating: Null/10 (18 June 2002)

The first word that escaped my lips after the film was "WOW". A wonderfully directed film with outstanding performances from Edward Norton, who plays Neo-Nazi, Derek Vinyard, and Jennifer Lien, who plays his frustrated sister. "American History X" is one courageous movie.
I didn't think such a realistic and sensitive portrayal of a skinhead could be possible. Though I felt that Norton's character, after a traumatic event, capitulated to the embrace-all-minorities point-of-view too quickly, the distinct periods in which he hated minorities and accepted them were wonderfully performed. The only part of the movie that made me uncomfortable was the transformation of Derek Vinyard. Throughout the film, I sensed an urgency to turn a misguided skinhead into a good guy (maybe someone who doesn't embaress white people?). The director, writer, actors all probably wanted Derek Vinyard to become more tolerant, less angry, (and, dare I say it?) more in line with the current racial politics that embraces diversity and abhors racism.
But in order for Derek Vinyard to be believeable, he has to transform from a Neo-Nazi racist into less of a racist. The change in Derek Vinyard seemed overnight and miraculous. His change is like laser eye surgery that instantly restores 20/20 vision. Reality doesn't work like that. Derek the immigrant-hating Neo-Nazi suddenly became Derek the benevolent, people of color-loving liberal. I just can't buy it. Being a person of color myself, and having encountered more racism in my lifetime than I care to remember, I have never seen miraculous transformations in life. Nobody goes from complete bigotry to complete tolerance. A more credible outcome is that Derek remains uncomfortable with his former African-American history teacher and other minority groups. He will still be grappling with his conscience--guilt for the senseless murders, knowledge that he killed people of his teacher's ethnicity, and desire to protect and release himself from the misery of old hatreds.
This film definitely has a social conscience, and wants to teach people well. I commend its success with such a difficult topic. Right after watching "American History X", I saw "Monster's Ball". The latter was not a good movie to begin with, and unfortunately it came on the heels of one of the finest movies ever made about race politics in the United States.
The only other complaint I have is that the film ended too happily. It is a sad movie that tries to make you feel good in the end. But that's not realistic. Edward Furlong's character, after hearing his brother's ordeal, shrugs off all his former prejudices and joins his brother's newfound doctrine of love-thy-ethnic-neighbor. The insidious influences of Cameron Alexander evaporates into thin air. I just can't quite buy it.