Provocative Film On Racism

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2012)

Tony Kaye made his feature directorial debut with this dramatic exploration into the roots of race hatred in America in this film entitled American History X.It tells the story of two brothers, Derek Vinyard and Daniel "Danny" Vinyard of Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California. Both are intelligent and charismatic students. Their father, a firefighter, is murdered by a black drug dealer while trying to extinguish a fire in a South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles, and Derek is drawn into the neo-Nazi movement. Derek brutally kills two black gang members whom he catches in the act of breaking into the truck left to him by his father, and is sentenced to three years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. The story shows how Danny is influenced by his older brother's actions and ideology and how Derek, now radically changed by his experience in incarceration, which includes violent rape by white inmates, tries to prevent his brother from going down the same path as he did. The film is told in the style of nonlinear narrative. David McKenna scripted the film and shooting took place in Los Angeles, California.
A well-made, well-acted and often violent film that offers a compelling portrait of redemption and the destructive nature of racism.It is a violent film on a weighty topic.It is brutally honest with its characters, actions, and ideas compelling the viewer to look further and become involved.This jolting film will draw serious-minded upscale viewers interested in cutting-edge fare and the latest outstanding performance by Edward Norton,an amazing actor and a hot-dog whose delight in transformation is infectious.This is a must-see not only for Norton's performance but on how it is interesting and sometimes compelling that it contains more actual provocative thought than any American film on race.