American History X: A Lesson in Excellent Movie-Making

Rating: 10/10 (12 January 2006)

American History X gives us an intense look into the ugly ramifications of racism & Neo-Nazism run amok in the lives of a select group of people in our society. AHX shows how even a microcosm of society's "Aryan Brotherhood" can vastly change people's lives forever. The basic plot is presented in an "in your face" demeanor, as well as paints a very realistic picture of exploding racism, territoriality & a deteriorating social fabric as we know it.
AHX pulls you in to the story of Derek Vinyard, an intelligent & arrogant young future Neo-Nazi leader who is sent to prison for manslaughter, reforms his hateful ways & beliefs while befriending a black inmate, gets out of prison to save his younger brother Danny from taking his former path, & makes a major choice to leave the Nazi gang for good with dire consequences. This is one powerful piece of film-making, with the viewer walking away to an unbelievable ending. It is not the controversial story that grabs you but the riveting performance by Edward Norton that will blow you away!
Edward Norton's performance as rising Neo-Nazi leader & reformed convict Derek Vinyard was as Oscar-worthy a bad guy as "Silence of the Lambs" Anthony Hopkin's Hannibal Lecter. Norton will make you hate him & love him in the same breath!! For such a young actor, Norton brings an innocence & veteran actor's skills to the film's success. With a solid supporting cast including Edward Furlong, Beverly D' Angelo, Fairuza Balk, Stacey Keach, Elliot Gould & Avery Brooks behind him, Norton flourishes in his role complete with foul mouth, toned physique, shaved head, and Nazi tattoos to complete the ensemble'.
This film gives the viewer a true sense of the hatred & bigotry expressed in each black & white flashback(the entire movie was done in most scenes shown in retrospect). I appreciated the "hit over the head" messages portrayed which does not glorify but brings responsibility to the outright & overt prejudice running rampant throughout the film.
For those who accept realism & can handle blatant truth, I highly recommend anyone to see this film, over the age of 18, of course. AHX is a wake-up call to all those who enjoy a film with teeth, and boy does this one bite you!! Tony Kaye does a wonderful job bringing together competent actors, smart technical film-making, & a very, very controversial & sensitive plot. After viewing AHX, you never know; you just might learn something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!