One of the most under-rated films I've ever seen...

Rating: Null/10 (5 July 2003)

In the late nineties there was a trendy movement towards so-called independent films. American History X, though riding the tail end of the fad, did attempt to cash in on the new found popularity, in the mainstream, of the Sundance Film Festival. In American History X Edward Norton cements his position as one of the most gifted actors of our time. His terrifyingly real portrayal of Derek, a neo-nazi driven over the edge by the neighbor-hood he grew up in turning into a 'haven for drug addicts and gangs'.
Norton is also backed by a wonderful supporting cast. Edward Furlong (Yes of Terminator 2 fame) delivers a delicious portrayal of a young man disillusioned and abandoned by his brother. The scenes between Derek and Danny (Furlong) are colorful and vibrant contrasting against the simple and crumbling city about the brothers. The mixture of admeration and hatred that people feel for their idols, especially one that has been torn from their pedastol of reverence, is utilized so well in this film that it does make the film feel almost like a showcase for the wonderful acting rather than the rather amateur plot. However that plot is genius in the way that it delivers its' message; so simple sleek and easy to understand, or is it? The psychological aspects presented in this film, attempting to explain why poeple become what they are using a neo-nazi as a general example, are all quite relevant and the film at times becomes a soap-box for the makers to showcase their feelings on the social inequalities in The United States of America. The scene discussing Rodney King, which I was frightened of from the start, is so over the edge and in your face that it almost becomes unbearable to watch sometimes. yet somehow you can't take you're eyes off of Eliot Gould or Norton. All of the actors in this film should receive praise for their roles; especially Fairuza Baulk who reprised her role as the black haired hellion heart throb, though there's a bit of a switch up when she plays the supportive girlfriend to Derek.
The last thing that I will rave about it the cinematography. I must admit before I begin that I enjoy black and white photo prints and films a great deal so I am a bit biased when one comes along but... The black and white cinematography used in the flashbacks doesn't affect the film in a negatize way that most heavily edited films do. Somehow it retains the feeling of reality, even the slow motion shots were well done. Norton looked nothing short of pure evil during his arrest. The black and white plays so well off of Edward Furlong's oral narration (quite reminesent of Fight Club, except Furlong rather than Norton drives the films narration). The dryly read script that serves as the narrator is masterfully edited, the scenes were planned out and edited with out a hitch. My one complaint with the film is Edward Norton's crying... I mean he can do almost anything else but he can not convince me he is crying. In Fight Club he pulled it off by being plunged in Bob's Bitch tits but here he has no cover and it does serve to detract from some of the more emotional scenes, he doesn't even sound like - let a lone look like he's crying! Okay I'm done I swear.
American History X is one of the premier films for fans of good acting in a time of 9 out of 10 crap outs. Norton, Furlong, Gould, Brooks(from Star Trek Voyager, who also out does himself again, though his role is to short for him to truly shine),D'Angelo, and Keach each deliver what could be the best performances of many of their careers. If you havn't seen this film you should UNLESS; You don't like graphic violence (If Fight Club freaked you out) steer clear, if graphic sex scenes disturb you or you are viewing with younger children - beware, and most of all if you like happy go lucky up beat hip-hop crap (or perhaphs you just like Norton) you shouldn't run out and rent this.