A powerful film about the destructive effects of racism

Rating: 8/10 (31 March 2009)

"American History X" focuses on a pair of brothers, both with ties to a neo-nazi skinhead group. Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) returns from an eye-opening prison stint to find that his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong) is following in his footsteps. Derek is committed to saving his family from further heartache but he soon finds that his past cannot easily be left behind.
The cast is a pretty good one and features Edward Norton in an Oscar-nominated role. There are some other notable names and familiar faces but for the most part the acting isn't particularly remarkable. Perhaps the best supporting performance comes from Stacy Keach as manipulative white supremacist Cameron Alexander.
Back when the film was released, director Tony Kaye tried to have his name taken off of it, supposedly because Edward Norton had recut the film. If that is indeed true I can't say that it hurt the film, though I suppose that we'll never know for sure. Kaye's direction indulges in a few flourishes but typically he keeps things simple. I'm not crazy about the stylistic choice of shooting the flashback scenes in black and white but others may not share my opinion.
All things considered, the film is a powerful one, though the story isn't without a few faults. Some of the plot points seem a bit manufactured but the story is compelling and the ending packs an undeniable punch. I recommend the film though I think that it's a tad overrated.