Disturbing, Powerful, Thought Provoking

Rating: 9/10 (9 June 2001)

Amazing film. Ed Norton gives a spectacular performance in this film, only further solidifying his place as one of my all time favorite actors, and I feel ashamed for not having seen this movie sooner. Ed Furlong also gives a good show as Mr. Norton's little brother. The most disturbing thing about this movie, I think, is the fact that I found myself seeing points in what Derek Vinyard (Norton) was saying. What if Rodney King had hit a kid, then attacked the police? Would we be thinking the opposite? And what his father was saying about two white men who scored higher on the fireman's test than two black men, but didn't get the jobs because of affirmative action. Honestly, I don't support that kind of thing. If there are seven white men and three black men who have the credentials for ten top jobs, then those are the men who should get the jobs, not five men, five women, or five white men, five black women. On the other hand, if there are ten black men and women who are all more qualified, then so be it. I realize this is not the place to state political views and such, but this movie really made me think. See it, and you will too.