powerful film with an important message

Rating: 9/10 (21 April 2005)

SPOILERS April 2005 and Britain is held in the grips of a general election. Voting to decide who will become the next Prime Minister of the country, one of the key topics seems to be immigration. Pioneered by a Conservative leader who is seemingly obsessed, the issue has brought up the old trend of racial tension. What happens though when you stop perceiving an awkward subject as a problem, and begin to passionately hate all those who are different from you. In "American History X", Ed Norton provides perhaps his finest ever performance as a reformed Neo-Nazi with a mission. Powerful from start to finish, the film is not afraid to show the views of the extremist, whilst simultaneously proving the flaws in their arguments.
Derek Vinyard (Norton) is the figurehead leader of a bunch of Neo-Nazi's in Venice Beach. Full of anger and hatred, Derek devotes his life to winning the area back for the whites. After a spell in prison however, Derek reappears dramatically different. Keen to get out of the way of life, he finds that his former associates are not that easy to escape from as he attempts to stop his younger brother Danny (Ed Furlong) from going down the same route.
Written by David McKenna, "American History X" is a film that everybody should see. Whilst not the finest for direction and far from the finest film ever, it is a crucial film due it's solid performances, and the message it provides.
As the bitter and twisted Derek, Ed Norton is indescribable. Playing an incredibly clever character, Norton manages to play the character as someone who has an underlying hatred beneath the surface, and who believes a view which he can't even convincingly argue for in a debate. Norton can give the character a sense of menace, whilst simultaneously giving a sense of internal misery and weakness. Some might suggest that the simple reason for this menace is that it tends to only be present when he has a shaved head, but this isn't true. This, almost terrifying, display which the character portrays is based on Norton's ability to walk the walk as it were and show an arrogance of sorts. Anyone can shave their head and attempt to look tough, but Norton succeeds, not through the lack of hair, but through his actions.
One example of a character who can shave their head but never actually look even remotely intimidating is Edward Furlong's Danny. Played to perfection by Furlong, this character never really looks anything but a young, naive, scared boy with an admiration for his brother. Throughout the film, we see someone on the verge of fully committing to an ideal, but who never actually seems to commit. To Danny it always feels more like he is trying to imitate his brother whilst trying to belong to a group. Again, this is down not to a script, but purely down to an outstanding turn by Furlong.
Perhaps the greatest thing about "American History X" is the way that we are shown the errors of Derek's ways. In so many ways, this film could have evolved into an arrogant story which preaches at you like a religious leader. It avoids this though. What "American History X" does is that for segments it shows family debates where views are discussed across a dinner table. We hear points of view about the extremity of equality in the work place, and we listen to ideas which have SOME logic and reasoning behind them. Through discussion and alternative events however, the film shows that the majority of these views are lacking. We are shown that there are extremists from both sides who argue both for liberalism and for fascism, but that ultimately all of these views are irrelevant. So much could be said about the eventual conclusions of "American History X" that hours could be spent on one part of the overall view. Ultimately though, the film demonstrates that actions speak louder than words and we should remember that.
"American History X" is not the best made film ever, but it is one of the most important. In a world today where race and issues surrounding the topic is so dominant, we need films like this. Superbly acted, and brilliantly thought out, it is a film to be watched and absorbed.