American History X [DVD] [1999]

This is the only film i have seen which really tackles racism in a realistic and intelligent way. The Ed Norton character is an intelligent and articulate individual who convincingly preaches the twisted logic of racism. The film manages to convey most psychological explanations of racism - the authoritarian personality,the scapegoat hypothesis, in-group out-group bias, transference, etc, without feeling preachy. I can't think of a more socially important or responsible film than this. Derek's emotional oddessy is both moving and disturbing, with all points of view given equal airing, no matter how extreme. Personally I found the question asked of Derek 'Has anything you have done made your life better?' a stark and penetrating wake up call for anyone who is unhappy. The ending has been criticised for being overly emotional but I thought it was appropriate, Derek gets hurt by former chosen enemies who have not yet learnt the lesson he has. This makes us question whether Derek was wrong in the first place. This is a complicated film about a difficult subject which should be required viewing in all schools. The ultimate message is to do your best and try to get along with other people. Its not just about racism, its about personal choice, do we live to hate or do we try to make life better for ourselves and others. The director walked away from the film, my question is if he was unhappy with this cut, what would his version be like? This version is a technical, artistic and emotional triumph.

Having just brought American History X and watched it on DVD, I was surprised at what a good film it was. Starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong, it is a thoughtful, provoking film that in no way glamorises racial hatred, but offers a brutal, lingering, shocking and unflinching look at racism.

The story focuses on Derek Vinyard (Norton) and his kid brother, Danny. (Furlong - still baby faced from Terminator 2) Derek has been released from prison, following a stretch for the murder of two black youths who were trying to steal his car. Derek's hatred and neo-nazi attitude are fuelled by his father's murder and racist teachings. A prominant figure in neo-nazi circles, Derek is released a changed man and has no intention of reprising his old ways, much to the disgust of his neo nazi friends, and girlfriend.

Derek's redemption in prison comes after he is brutally attacked by other neo-nazis in prison, who didn't approve of his friendship with a black inmate. A shattered Vinyard is left to realise the error of his ways and turn his life around. He is dismayed to realise his brother has started copying him, and tries to get his brother to change his ways too.

Norton and Furlong are surprisingly well cast. Norton has immense screen presence, managing to convey the story of a man who has realised the error of his ways, and wants to put his life back on track.

Furlong, displays the arrogance he inherits from his brother's former days of neo-nazi activities and like his brother is humbled as he learns that life is too short to spend it filled with hate. (A fact which is later underlined for Furlong and his family.)

The film is very stylised. Flashbacks are shot in slow motion black and white, and are full of impact and can be very shocking. The film pulls no punches, and is brutal throughout, especially when the film reaches its bloody, tragic climax.

All in all, a well thought out, provoking film that is certainly worth watching - if you can cope with the brutality it meets out to everyone involved, and the bad language throughout.

This film represents a huge leap forward from the sickly, prescriptive preaching of "the world would be lovely if it wasn't for the bad people" into an aknowledgement that there are fallible human beings on both sides of the racial divide, some of whom mistake personal bitterness for a moral justification of hatred. Hearteningly, the more recent "Crash" also takes this approach, though from a wider perspective than American History X's specific focus on racially motivated violence.

I take the point of the previous reviewer that this film reduces some of the neo-nazis to cardboard cut-outs, but to be fair its approach was ambitious enough already. (To fully develop all the characters in such a complex subject might require a stage tragedy rather than a general release movie.) Similarly, the handful of liberals were probably necessary, sadly, to prevent idiots taking the film as a vindication of their so-called beliefs, and also to avoid alienating much of the target audience. For a film released in 1999 this was a very brave production.