American History X (Wide Screen) > Reviews > A.H.X

Author's product rating:   

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

Advantages:	Powerful look at racisms effect on society
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Possible one of the most emotional invoking movies i've ever watched, American History X is an incredible movie with profound performances and an incredible look at racism and its origins.

The tale unfolds through the eyes of young Danny ( Edward Furlong ), whose older brother Derek ( Edward Norton ) has been released after three years of imprisonment. Enraged those years ago at the death of his father and seeking retribution Derek had embarked on a campaign of hate. Despite being very intelligent he found himself full of hatred and became the charismatic leader of a locally formed white power movement. His hate finally ended in a brutal killing and earned him a prison sentence. However upon his release, unknown to his loved ones, he is a changed man. Ashamed of his past actions and now determined to save his brother and family from the suffering he brought their way.

Directed by Tony Kaye has truely captured a film that sparks high emotion and that disturbs at times. All of it makes this film play on the viewers ability to make sense of why these people are these racist animals. In every sense it shows that on all sides of this racism that there are reasons behind their actions. Dereks fathers death at the hands of a black gunman while tackling a fire spurred a prosperus youth into a hated filled orchastrater of violence.

Kaye executes this magnificently throughtout this movie, making us see the orgins of the racists ideals. It gives almost a disturbing provocation of ones thoughts at some of the charisma that Derek exudes makes his point seem very strong. Your feeling empathy towards a group of people with an irrational hatred because their politics have such strong standing at times. Feeding off one side of the story you get stucked in that these people are doing this because they truely believe it.

Then the movie removes the notion of sanity in their actions completely. It tears you away from this disturbing truth your giving into, it shows you the hypocrisy, the cowards preying on the fearful. Those who use these ideals to settle ther own inrational hatred. The movie turns round on you dramatically, both sides of the story reveal themselves to you and you feel a sense of frustration at the innocent being. Thrusted into the knowledge that fear is used by a few sordid indivduals to turn reasonable people like Derek into hate filled hypocrites. All the while those truely responsible sit back and let others take the fall and destroy those around them.

Kaye chooses to portray the movie through the eyes of Dereks younger brother Danny. Showing signs of ability very akin to his brothers at school Danny is in a troubling position which concerns his now reformed brother. Edward Furlong is brilliant in this movie, convaying the confusion of looking up to his idol and seeing a different person has emerged. Telling through his eyes is a lovely choice from the director as its really about Dereks attempt to save his brother from the same fate along witht the family he has hurt. We see how Danny becomes effected by his brothers growing hatred and actions and it really makes sense that this way.

The story itself is conveyed through two different ways. The moments in the present are conveyed through normal full coloured filming whereas the past ( crucial segments that recall Dereks descent into a racist criminal ) is in black and white. This style really helps to make the story deepen as it progressesand highlighting the past in this manner really helps to avoid any confusion. Throught this style we see how the realtionship between Derek and his loved ones has changed and developed. It also helps to try and distance Dereks hated filled ideals of the world is in "black and white" and that its them or us. They offer the insight into his prison experience which shatters his faith in other so-called white purists and makes him see how his eyes were blinded by hate.

Edward Norton is really amazing in this movie, his portrayal of Derek is uncanny at times. The hatred at times convayed through him is not only impressive but very powerful. The horrific and infamous "curb" scene is excuted with so much anger, that his rage oozes intimadation. A far cry from the man that emerges from prison seeking retribution.

This movie is one of the most powerful and thought provoking, i have i ever eyes on. Never have I seen a movie that plays on the audiences fears and falsely laid prejudice so well. A stunning film that shows in the end its those who we hold nearest are destroyed by rascism.