American History X (Wide Screen) > Reviews > American History X

Author's product rating:   

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

Advantages:	Great plot, superb characters and a theme that needed to be discussed
Disadvantages:	violent

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Well my next review again is another film that was made during the 90's. Gosh they really don't make films like they use to. I must admit ive only seen this film twice once in high school and once with my friends, and both times the film just gives you a sense of shock. The film im going to review is the 1998, critically acclaimed "American History X", directed by Tony Kaye and Edward Norton and Edward Furlong.
Ok two quick recaps here, Edward Furlong is the guy who was John Connor in Terminator 2, however just a wee bit more older in this film, but he still looks the same. We then have Edward Norton; you might recognise him from his earlier work in Primal Fear and The People vs. Larry Flynt

I must admit this review will talk about some cruel and in some cases sadistic scenes, and for that I apologise if it causes any offence. However, I would totally defend the film because to me it's actually a good piece of art. Rather than making a lovely dove semi violent movie, the director when for the honest and brutal truth about the Aryan gangs, the racial hatred in the world and what can happen in prison (if you bend down for the soap).

Quick Info on the Director:

Tony Kaye is actually an English Director born in London, 1952. Unfortunately American History X was his only feature film, which to me was a real shame is this film really bought out the best in the director, but he stuck around directing music videos and continued doing lower key documentaries and so on. But his biggest accolade was this film.

Basic Plot Outline (Well its actually quite complicated)

Ok well ill try my best to explain the general plot of the story, without having to give away too much info, which believe you me can happen.
Ok so the film starts of in the early 90's following the character of Derek Vinyard (Norton), a young smart and gifted kid who had so much potential in life. However, Derek is reluctantly drawn into the movement of Neo Naziism, after a group of black gang members killed his father. During Derek's childhood, he was subjected to the racist's views his fathers expressed about black, Jewish and Mexican people. Thus the mentality was built up inside him at an early age; however the underground world just escalated his views.
After some time Derek become the second in command over the gang, the DOC (Disciples of Christ). The gang would always try to recruit young white teenagers, and had quite a solid support base. Long story short, one night Derek is in the house when three black men are trying to rob his car, after finding out by a friend, Derek obtains a gun from his draw and shoots one member dead and injures another, whilst all this is happening Danny, the younger brother watches in horror as his older brother then kills the injured man by placing his head on the street curb and starts stomping is head (Curb stomping)

Derek is sent to prison for the attack, and whilst their he joins an Aryan brotherhood, however after alienating himself from certain allies he is violently attacked in the shows and gang raped. After being released from prison, Derek return back home only to see his younger brother Danny has now fully associated him with the Nazi group. Derek, now wants out of his past with the Nazi group, and wants his brother to get away from such involvement. The climax of the film sees some dramatic scenes that changes both Danny and Derek's life.

Characters:

Derek Vinyard:
Such a brilliant actor and such a brilliant character to portray. This character totally dominated the film; it's quite drastic to see how violent and disturbed this young man becomes. His hatred for anyone of none white original is really evident, he has no remorse in killing these people, his politics of an all white nation really make you feel this guys is one serious cookie. I suppose his anger and hatred stemmed from his father's death and his teachings he received during his early years. I guess it is true when they say if you have racist parents, there is a likelihood that the children will pick up these views and will later in life copycat what their parents believed.

Danny Vinyard:
Danny is Derek's younger brother, without a father figure it is evident that Danny looks up to Derek. However, Derek is really shocked to learn that once upon returning from prison, his brother is now following his exact footsteps. I guess it really makes him think; he always loved his brother deep down and wanted to him to have such a better life than what was already offered. Danny was very intellectual, and was very bright in school, however is paper how Hitler should be called a Civil rights hero really shocked most the school and his teachers. He had really got the views of Nazism inside his head

I would mention the other characters, but to be honest in my opinion these are the two most important ones. The whole is following wither one of them. I was really shocked the first time I saw this film. Its violence, its racial themes and chilling scenes made this film hard to watch at times. However it was done in a way which really made the story even more powerful. It was like a what comes around goes around story; Derek had a life of such hatred for Black people and he finally go his comeuppance towards the end of the film.
It also showed the bond these brothers had, how much the younger one looked up to his older brother. I applaud the film because it took a real social issue and wasn't afraid to tell people just how it was.
The film was so brutal that it was voted In 2007 as the most violent film of all time.

Cast:

• Edward Norton as Derek Vinyard
• Edward Furlong as Danny Vinyard
• Beverly D'Angelo as Doris Vinyard
• Avery Brooks as Dr. Bob Sweeney
• Jennifer Lien as Davina Vinyard
• Ethan Suplee as Seth Ryan
• Stacy Keach as Cameron Alexander
• Fairuza Balk as Stacey
• Elliot Gould as Murray
• Guy Torry as Lamont
• William Russ as Dennis Vinyard
• Joseph Cortese as Rasmussen
Run Time: 119 minutes
Release Date: October 1998
Budget: $10 million
Revenue: $23 million