American History X (Wide Screen) > Reviews > American History...A lesson for the youth of today

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Raises questions .  .  .
Disadvantages:	.  .  . You might not want to answer them .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Following the rehabilitation of a neo-nazi white supremist after his spell in jail for the racial murder of two men this is one of the most challenging films that i have encountered. Raising issues such as race relations, brotherly love, blind hero worship and brain washing of impressionable, bored teenagers, the film is an emotional avalanche. The disgust that Edward Norton can evoke is sensational, and he fills the screen with a presence that echoes strangely of De Niro in Taxi Driver. He is backed by a stunning performance from the frustrated and chain smoking Eddie Furlong as his younger brother, Danny. The anger and disillusionment of Danny is simply misdirected and this is the fight his brother has...to give it new direction. This is compounded by the idol status that Norton's character has for the murder's. The new direction is symbolised by the report that Danny has to write for the guidance teacher, who it turns out helped his brother.
One of the films high points is its original working of the overused flashback technique. The fact that the real time present, when Norton's character is racially tolerant, is in 'colour', and the neo nazi past is divided into 'black and white', is a touch of genuis. The slow unravelling of the true events is in direct correlation to the growing sympathy with Norton's character...his fathers death, the new father figure, the imprisonment, the race hate reversal as his views become too extreme. The film has two wonderfully poignant moments in the prison: Firstly is Norton's break through with the black inmate on laundry duty with him (gave us the fantastic make up sex scene!!!). Secondly is his realisation that the black inmate was the one who protected him after his rape, and Norton captures the emotions of guilt, respect and debt beautifully.
I will not comment on the ending futher than it is depressing and dream shattering to the point that it was the first film that nearly made me cry.(The Green Mile didn't bring me close). Yet there is a message in there, so jerk back the tears and find something to take from this truly brilliant film.