A compelling film which may leave you uneasy...

Rating: 8/10 (1 February 2000)

American History X is an undeniably breathtaking viewing experience. Nevertheless, it left me with certain reservations regarding the message presented. Each racist argument presented during the movie is delivered with considerable detail, feeling and conviction. The anti-racist argument, on the other hand, relies solely on the presence of a couple of sympathetic black characters, a whole load of despicable white ones, and no real equivalent intellectual basis. Whilst it is hopefully correct to assume that the viewer doesn't take much convincing to be repelled by Nazi ideology, this is surely not enough to justify Danny's inevitable and immediate transition from swastika-worshipper to peace-n-love merchant.
This movie is far from racist. Scenes such as the hard-to-watch humiliation of a black supermarket check-out girl or the shock ending ensure this. However, I wish the director had put as much energy and vitality into his portrayal of Derek the changed man as he does Derek the charismatic, MTV-style neo-Nazi.
A flawed masterpiece, perhaps...