Powerful Story!

Rating: Null/10 (10 June 1999)

American History X is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, and probably the best one dealing with racial tensions in America. Edward Norton is a prodigy, and Edward Furlong surfaces in first big role since Terminator 2.
This film does a good job showing how most neo-nazis fall into that hideous lifestyle mainly because they're confused, insecure, or grossly overweight. But it also reminds us that racism and hatred begin in the home, often from thoughtless remarks parents make in front of kids. The flashback perspective of AHX tells the entire story, and the use of black and white film is a brilliant story device. The murder scene and the prison rape scene are particularly gruesome, but that kind of lifestyle isn't Disneyland anyway.
The ending is jarring and thought-provoking, and makes sense about what racism is; useless, senseless, and the result of narrow minds.