Highly overrated

Rating: 8/10 (5 October 2010)

Totally loved it. But I'm a little bit disappointed I have to admit! The reviews I read prior watching American History X, and the fact that it was ranked one of the best movies of all time made me set the bar really high up. And during my two-hour view I was waiting for that moment when I'll be truly AWED. It didn't come though! I was highly entertained and thought-provoked... but never touched.
The movie digs deep into one of the most unsettling problems in the American society (and it makes me think maybe I'd be more touched if I were an American myself!) and materializes its social impact. Director Tony Kaye did a great job shockingly portraying the gruesome and painful outcomes of this vicious circle of hate. However, he heavily depended on melodramatic score and slow-motioned takes and flashbacks to heighten this effect, which, I think, was quite cheesy.
The movie is beautifully written, and wonderfully performed. Edward Norton has this magnetic charisma that you can't help waiting for the next scene he'll be in. His performance is naturally flawless. The young Edward Furlong pulled it off brilliantly as well.