THOUGHT-PROVOKING is an UNDERSTATEMENT.

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2003)

I was over joyed when Roberto Benigni won the best actor Oscar in '98. But after giving HISTORY a second viewing, it's hard not to think of Norton as being robbed. However it may have left a bad taste in one's mouth, had a portrayal of a neo-nazi won over that of a Holocaust victim. Norton's performance is the most compelling I've ever seen. I say this because, we see him portray not one, but three characters: Derek the distraught but intelegant teenager; Derek the brutal, articulate skinhead; Derek the reformed, mature adult.
It would be an understatement to say that this film is thought-provoking. Through Derek's persuasive retoric on all things race-related, we are forced to consider the validity in his arguments. Any viewer will find themselves desperate to effectively question the credibility of what Derek says.
During the scene at the dinner table in which Derek gives a lecture on his discontent with multi-racial society, it's frustrating to see him go unchalenged. All I wanted was for the liberal boyfriend to ask Derek what exactly he was going to do in his lifetime to effectively bring about a change in the problems he was ranting about.
But no matter how credible Derek's ideology is, it can not excuse the racially motivated acts of violence played out on screen. The sequence in which Derek's gang attack a grocery store and brutalize the minorities inside is not only effective in the way it condemns racist acts. It also portrays the skinheads as cowardly for victimizing a young woman and an old man, as opposed to chalenging any of the local gangs. There is a user below who has questioned - understandably so - just how much we should worry about skinhead violence. The fact remains that gays, bi-racial couples, or even white kids leaving a regae concert are at risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Unfortunately, the film's length doesn't do justice to the story or the characters. SPOILER: While in prison, Derek is excorsized of his debilitating hatred. This is effected by befriending a black inmate, being victimized by white inmates, and reading literature sent by his black, former history teacher. The problem is we don't know what literature he is reading. It seems a little too easy, but never the less, understandable. END OF SPOILER.
With it's stylistic cinematography, sweeping orchestral soundtrack, and superb performances, HISTORY is a great film which could have been better had it been longer. In the end, the film is not trying to send a message simply to those who are intolerant towards ethnic minorities, gays, religious or political groups, but to anyone who lets themself be consumed by anger or negativity. No one wants to die p**sed off.