Amazing...

I doubt that the true profound impact of American History X can be accurately described using words. I had wanted to see this film for such a long time but I could never get my hands on a copy. People had told me what a powerful and amazing film American History X turned out to be. Upon finally approaching the film, I was completely bewildered and blown away.

The film is a brilliant, atmospheric tale of redemption told with disturbing images and heavy adult themes. I was left speechless as the credits started to roll.

Derek Vinyard (Norton) is a racist skinhead who is a highly-placed member of a neo-Nazi contingent on Venice Beach. He has strong racist political views and idolises the philosophies of people like Hitler.

The film opens with an introduction to Derek who is sent to prison following the brutal murder of two African-American males caught trying to steal his truck. Three years on and Derek is finally released from prison. But he comes back to a broken family. Derek discovers that his little brother Daniel (Furlong) has decided to take a similar route he took that ended up wrecking his life. While Derek was behind bars he learnt several valuable lessons that altered his perspectives on the world and its citizens; he eventually discovers that there is good and bad in every race. Now that Daniel is caught up in the same web of racism that landed him in gaol, Derek begins trying to convince his little brother of his newfound enlightenment instead of letting him share a similar fate.

American History X is deeply laden with flashbacks that are distinguished by using black & white photography. Because Daniel is being forced to write a paper on his brother these flashbacks give the audience insight into the world that Derek experienced before undergoing redemption and becoming a fresh individual.

The performances almost make the film seem like actual documentary footage. Nothing ever seems staged; it all appears to be bloodcurdlingly real. The high levels of profanity and the brutal, occasionally distressing dialogue also add to this high level of instituted realism.

Edward Norton is an actor who hadn't yet made a big name for himself. When this film was released he was still a small-time actor. His performance in this movie is outstanding. For the black & white flashbacks he is always intimidating and sizzling with rage. The character of Derek Vinyard is unnerving and quite a horrific person to be around. Major recognition to Norton and the passionate performance that he delivered! I had only seen Edward Furlong in Terminator 2 (his acting debut) and only heard that the actor's life was soon filled with drugs and gross misconduct. This only makes his character here so much more real. In the flashbacks Furlong's character is innocent and rather quiet. But in non-flashback territory his character has become just like his brother. It's a bit of a place-switcher in that sense.

The direction and cinematography are sublime. Never did the filmmaking let the audience believe they were watching a staged movie. Everything seems incredibly focused and sophisticated. The script is amazing. I'm not sure whether it was actors improvising or a carefully written script, but the dialogue is all highly naturalistic.

American History X is a film definitely not for the faint of heart. The film is amazing and yet extremely difficult to watch. Drugs, smoking, profanity, nudity, rape, violence - the film has the entire package! If you don't think you can stomach many of the aforementioned qualities then this film is definitely not for you.

American History X is a controversial masterpiece that presents an uncompromising look at its source material. The film is riveting and moody. For the most part, it is also very unsettling and its replayable value is shockingly low.