Hello people, I am writing my review based on the film "American History X" which isn't for the light hearted or people that offend easily!! There is a lot of violence in this film and deals with the racial issue. It is an amazing film but quite upsetting. It was directed by Tony Kaye and written by David Mckenna. It was released back in 1998 and starred Edward Norton and Edward Furlong, together they play such strong characters as brothers. I was totally in shock when I saw this film as it was very unexpected.

Basic Storyline

The film is based around two brothers Derek and Danny Vinyard, who become part of a neo-nazi group after there father was killed in the early 1990's by a black drug dealer while trying to put out a fire. Danny becomes involved with the neo-nazi group when his older brother Derek is put in prison for killing a black man (Not a very nice scene), Danny is very influenced by his older brother. The story basically begins with Danny being given an assignment as a punishment and the assignment must be based on his older sibling and the one to one class will be called American History X with the teacher Dr Sweeny. There are a lot of flash backs with Derek's life, he basically comes out of prison a changed man but can he change his brothers ways before something bad may happen?? The family is torn apart by these racial issues. Danny is a very disturbed boy who is full of anger and rage against black people in one scene near the beginning he says "Before Derek went to jail, the white kids didn't have to be afraid of the black kids, Derek made it safe"…what does this say to you as someone watching this film in these days. Derek life changes in prison when he becomes "friends" with a black in mate called Lamont, they both work together in the laundry room, at first Derek doesn't want to know and keeps his head down but he warms to Lamont and they have a good relationship and it changes Derek's ways of thinking about black people. When Derek is released from prison he comes face to face with his old mirror image of his brother with the old views that Derek had, and Derek tries to make his brother leave the neo-nazi group but Danny is having none of it, so Derek goes and meets with his old gang members…the boss where they have a confrontation!! Danny however finishes his paper and hopes that Dr Sweeny will be impressed but the ending is heart breaking!!

Characters

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

Other info

The film goes on for 119 minutes, which is pretty amazing for everything that they have packed into this film, I would of thought it would have been a good 3 hours long. It is off course rated an 18 for the violence and language used in the film.

My Opinion

What a brilliant film, it is an amazing approach to about racist's, I was gobsmacked at the film, but thought it was a brilliant, there is lots of violence, my worst scene has to be when Derek is arrested and he is caught when he has basically killed a black man, he makes the bloke bite the kerb and he kicks his foot down on the black mans head, it is horrible and nasty to watch…if I watch this film again a pillow will be needed it that's nasty!! Also Derek gets raped in prison by his inmates who are white and they have turned on him as he has become friends with his inmates. I have to be honest I was disgusted in the way that there was so much hate between the races, but if it wasn't done the way it was, it wouldn't portray the way people used to think and what actually happened. I was raised in London and have many friends of all different races, religions and I cant see how people felt so strongly against these differences we have, but underneath we are all the same, we all have feelings and personality! I am so glad that the film made the scene with Derek in prison with Lamont and at first Derek doesn't want to know, he listens to Lamont but wont speak to him at all, until the day Lamont makes him laugh and there relationship is brilliant. I actually cried with some of the scenes as I just couldn't believe that this could happen in real life but of course some of the violent did happen and some people still to this day are so small minded and racist which makes me sick to my stomach as everyone is the same no matter what. There are so many members of this neo-nazi group, they have hate parties and everything, plan on what they are going to do. Dr Sweeny is actually a black character in the film which makes it actually more exciting when Danny is being disciplined by him and made to do a paper on his brother and exactly what his brother is like, you even see Dr Sweeny go to the prison and speak to Derek after he is rape and it is an emotional scene where Derek breaks down crying to him. I loved this film with such a passion and it is an eye opener!!

Would I recommend??

Yes I would with out a doubt, it is a true eye opener and very well scripted film with the issues raised in it. Tissues may be needed and a pillow!! The film is very full on!! There is so much more to this film it is a MUST SEE in deed!!

Thanks for reading
Mell (June 2008)