One of the few movies that changed my life

Rating: Null/10 (22 September 2011)

I have never been able to make a decision on what my favorite movie of all time is. But American history X is without a doubt in my top 5. The performance of Edward Norton is absolutely jaw dropping. Him and Leonardo DiCaprio are one of the few actors that don't just act their roles, they live there characters lives. Derick Vinyard ( Edward Norton) is already one the most influential powerful characters to ever hit the screen.
Derick Vinyard is a Neo Nazi living in Los angeles California. He is the leader of a violent white sapremisis gang that rules California. This movie takes you through all the beliefs of what Derick thinks of all the different races. And most importantly the reasons why he is a skinhead. And you catch yourself throughout the movie agreeing with everything he is saying. Which amazes me that a movie has that much power that it can actually change your views in life.
The movie starts out with Derick getting out of jail and going home to his family. His brother who he is closest to Danny ( played by Edward Furlong) who gave the best performance in any of his movies is being told he is going to end up just like his brother. He has become a skinhead but isn't as powerful and into it like Derick was. When Derick gets home he tells his family they need to move because they weren't safe where they were living. Danny can tell that Derick has changed his way of life and is no longer part of the Nazi life. Danny has to write a paper in school called American History X assigned by the principal Mr Sweeney. Danny recaps his life and childhood with his brother. You see how Derick got sentenced to jailed by killing three black guys for breaking into his car. And curb stomping his last victim which is still to this day one of the most insane movie scenes in history. When Derick goes to jail he gets paired up with an African American who teaches him that everyone is the seem no matter what race you are everyone has flaws. And as Derick starts to realize this you start to realize this as a viewer ! you literally become Derick Vinyard as a viewer that;s how powerful this character is.
I don't wanna give away the ending completely Derick tries to change Danny's view on life like a big brother should and tries to provide him with a healthy way of thinking.
American History X is one of the most powerful movies ever made. If you haven't seen it watch it ASAP. I would recommend not with someone who gets offended easily the language is pretty bad and the violence and rape scene is very graphic. 10/10