Powerful, emotional, stirring, amazing

Rating: 10/10 (25 May 2007)

American History X has gone down as one of the most brilliants works of art in the past twenty years. Focusing on the subject of racism and Neo-Nazism within the United States along with the questions of affirmative action and illegal immigration. The film holds nothing back. I have never seen a film so balanced. What I mean by balanced is how the dialog, the story, the acting, and the characters are all amazing and brilliant equally. It is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen on the subject of racism.
Derek is one of the most feared Neo-Nazi leaders in Los Angeles. He holds nothing back when expressing his beliefs. If he needs to kill, if he needs to destroy, if he needs to harm, he'll do it just to see what according to him is right is accomplished. But after a brutal three year stint in prison for the murder of two black men, Derek's only fear is that his brother will follow down the same path as he once did. Ed Norton stars as Derek in a film of redemption and acceptance of one another.
Ed Norton is one of the best actors around. He held nothing back for American History X. He became the crazed, racist, mislead Derek that we see in the film. His performance is one of the most memorable performances by an actor in the past 25 years. The ending scene will bring tears to your eyes as Derek's ultimate horror finally comes about in startling fashion. When someone says "Norton was the key to this films success" they are right.
Edward Furlong is strong as Derek's younger brother. He makes you believe that Danny is being influenced by his brother. He makes his character to be innocent yet dangerous. We see the true human side of people through him and his misguided beliefs. We come to understand him and the dark side of Neo-Nazism through Furlong's character. The chemistry between Furlong and Norton is very strong and very believable though not nearly as memorable as Norton's.
The film is seriously intense. Language is flying at every corner. There isn't any drug use which seems to be common in every gang movie today. I liked this because drugs seem to always be the focal point when it comes to gang films. Instead of focusing on drugs and things, the film focuses on the beliefs of the Neo-Nazi's and how in trying to strengthen society, they have all but divided it more. They have just brought more violence with their beliefs and the film stands as stark opposition to anyone who is racist or discriminative.
Tony Kaye disowned the film after it was released. I still don't know why. The film is brilliant and mostly because of him and the work he did on it. The dialog, the characters, the story is all memorable in my book. I have trouble finding a better lead actor then Edward Norton. I have trouble finding a more complex character then Derek Vinyard, and I have trouble finding a more believable and brutal story the American History X. It is by far one of the best films of the 90's.
5/5 Stars