a movie that shows the learned behavior of racism and Neo-Nazism

Rating: Null/10 (1 November 2011)

Based on a true story of a former turned Neo-Nazi, American History X (1998) suggests what concerns racism. The movie makes a strong point in the film that no one is ever right and is no one ever wrong concerning racism. The film radiates the theme that racism is a learned behavior which is suggested and reiterated throughout the film. Beginning with the story of two brothers, the oldest named Derek Vinyard played by Academy Award winner for best actor Edward Norton, and his younger brother Danny Vinyard played by Edward Furlong we see the forged footprints pressed into young Danny's mind concerning the taught hatred and racism learned from his father Dennis Vinyard played by William Russ and older brother Derek. The plot is shown through a serious of black and white flashbacks concerning the recent past that have led the young Danny to become a now Neo-Nazi and the events leading up to his older brother Derek's incarceration for killing two young black gang members after attempting to break into his now deceased father's pickup truck. The film scenes shot in color are the proceeding twenty-four hours after Derek is released from prison and the events leading after that.
Throughout the film we watch through a series of black and white flashbacks how Derek became a Neo-Nazi and the events leading up to his incarceration along with his time spent in prison. We also watch Danny (Furlong) grow throughout his High school years with the same Neo-Nazi racist learned mentality thanks to brother Derek's instilled teachings.
Throughout the film, we notice the use of theme being carried on each scene and is presented quite dramatically. Director Tony Kaye makes good use of the dramatic effects produced by black and white filming making certain to show the most dramatic scenes in slow motion and with the use of angling giving the scenes a grim, dark decadent look. Scenes which included , the heinous curb stopping of the young crypt basketball player resulting in Derek murdering him as his brother Danny watches show effective use of the multi angled filming and slow motion to enhance the treachery of the event. Other use of these techniques include the rape and beating of Derek by his own gang (The Aryan Brotherhood) while in prison. Tony Kaye directs each of these scenes as well as others with a clear, concise intended message concerning the manifestation of racism. The scenes are kept dreary and cold, which appears to be intended to visually show the outlook that racism in itself projects. The dark, deeply embedded racist thoughts and for that, direct consequences are highlighted throughout the film in all scenes. With the extensive racist and also Neo-Nazi philosophical dialogue Edward Norton (Derek) brings these misconstrued thoughts to reality.
Two scenes worth mentioning on behalf of Director Tony Kaye are the reiterated dinner tables scenes concerning Derek and Danny's family. In the family dinner scene, we see Doris Vineyard (Beverly D'Angelo) as Doris Vinyard the boys' mother and her husband Dennis. Here we see the first instilled behavior of racist thoughts, when firefighter father Dennis tells Derek that he "needs to watch and question black ideas, things and persons." Prior to this Derek has felt no real hatred for other races and it is not until after his father dies trying to fight a fire and save a black drug dealer does Derek take these notions to heart. After concealing his Neo-Nazi we find Derek now the ring leader of a Neo-Nazi street game sitting at the same dinner table in the Vinyard's household, schooling his mother's new Jewish Boyfriend Murray (played by Elliot Gould) on why the Rodney King trial is unacceptable. Throughout this scene we see the same taught behavior being passed from once the father to son, to now the brother to brother as Brother Danny watches the debate between the two. The two dinner scenes pair nicely and coincide with writer David McKenna's overall theme that again racism is a learned behavior.
The one strong ironic character presented in the film which ties the beginning and ending to the films theme is Derek's black school teacher now principal Dr. Robert Sweeney played by Avery Brooks. It seems ironic throughout the film that Derek maintains a level of respect for his past teacher, which shows some light concerning the possibility of change in Derek. Dr. Sweeney can be seen as the hero in this film, for revealing the true Derek to us and helping him change his racist ways, Dr. Sweeney is also responsible for helping Derek do right by attempting to save his brother Danny from the same foreseen, grim future of Neo-Nazism.
Overall the film radiates strong messages of all that is wrong with racism. Through the use of realistic dialogue, settings and tragedy the theme(s) of racism remains constant, present and memorable in the minds of movie goers. Edward Norton does an extremely well job taking all of the film elements and using them to create a believable character (Derek) from someone such as Norton whom we would not expect to play this role. I give the movie 4 stars.