American History X

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American History X

96% Liked It
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American History X

Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Avery Brooks, Ethan Suplee, Jennifer Lien

A former neo-nazi skinhead (Norton) tries to prevent his younger brother (Furlong) from going down the same wrong path that he did.

Id: 10906740

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American History X Recent Reviews
  • SirPant
    September 3, 2009
    SirPant
    Good film but not the best on the subject. I think the acting and script lets it down slightly, it?s just a shame that the original writer got kicked out of the project as his vision would have produced a much better film. Good film, just a little contrived. I blame the producer!
  • LitelBluHli
    June 17, 2009
    LitelBluHli
    Ed Norton is so hot in this movie...but that's not the reason why I love it. It touches such a sensitive topic and done so well that it gives me goosebumps.
  • ohagankieran
    January 30, 2009
    ohagankieran
    An almost endemic representation of working-class American culture, 'American History X' could not have been more appropriately titled. American history seeps, breathes and vomits racism in every aspect of life, and nothing in the last 332 years of its Constitional existence has ...( read more)been done about it. It is as natural a part of life as eating and sleeping, something all Americans, no matter what spin they continue to put on it, cannot escape as the single most destructive aspect of life that haunts American history. The titular 'X' symbolises Edwards Norton and Furlong's own existence, drifters, gang-bangers, dedicating themselves to meaningless hatred. They and their kind, their 'brethren', are the unseen unheard class that society ignores. They are shunned from education and jobs, outcasted because of their lack of ability or familial background. They are reduced to a mere statistic, an X. With no hope or chance of being accepted these cultures thrive on the anger and frustration of these young people. And when the different worlds of the different races collide, then the outcome can only be violence. The film may simplify this, but it does so in a genuinely painful and emotional way, as if crying out for something to be done about this. The violence is shocking, brutal, visceral, but it's not glamourised. The consequences are shown that violence only begets more violence, and that human life can be so fragile, yet so valued and necessary. People need each other. And as a warning, a sensitive evocation of a desperately out of control situation in American society, the film succeeds. The performances are outstanding, with a credible and towering turn from Norton. The decision to film the flashbacks in black and white also presents a stark contrast with the escalation of violence into the present. This isn't an easy film to sit through, but it is a devastating and virulent piece of cinema. Angry, anguished and alone, it is the X, the ghost of American history...
  • mrpopcorn
    October 30, 2008
    mrpopcorn
    "His father taught him to hate. His friends taught him rage. His enemies gave him hope."

    Tony Kaye made his feature directorial debut with this dramatic exploration into the roots of race hatred in America. In a shocking opening scene, teen Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong...( read more)) races to tell his older brother, neo-Nazi Derek (Edward Norton), about the young blacks breaking into his car in front of the house, whereupon Derek gets his gun and with no forethought shoots the youths in their tracks. Tried and convicted, Derek is sent away for three years in prison, where he acquires a different outlook as he contrasts white-power prisoners with black Lamont (Guy Torry), his prison laundry co-worker and eventual pal. Meanwhile, Danny, with a shaved head and a rebellious attitude, seems destined to follow in his big brother's footsteps. After Danny writes a favorable review of Hitler's Mein Kampf, black high-school principal Sweeney (Avery Brooks) puts Danny in his private "American History X" course and assigns him to do a paper about his older brother, who was a former student of Sweeney's. This serves to introduce flashbacks, with the film backtracking to illustrate Danny's account of Derek's life prior to the night of the shooting. Monochrome sequences of Derek leading a Venice, California gang are intercut with color footage of the mature Derek ending his past neo-Nazi associations and attempting to detour Danny away from the group led by white supremacist, Cameron (Stacy Keach), who once influenced Derek. Director Tony Kaye, with a background in TV commercials and music videos, filmed in L.A. beach communities. Rated R "for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity."

    Review
    American History X is a powerful statement to modern society. Racism have always been a sensitive subject to tackle and not since Schindler's List have we seen this powerful of a film be presented with such potency. Edward Norton shines in his role as Neo-Nazi white supremacist skin-head Derek Vinyard. He was able to adapt to his character both physically and emotionally. Playing as his brother Danny, Edward Furlong sizes up to Norton's intensity and was able to spar acting wits with him.

    The touch of black & white was a nice addition as well. Director Tony Kaye gave the film a grim look and his eye for visual style was impressive as well. The ending is cringe-worthy. Believe me, you will not laugh or smirk as the film reaches its tragic conclusion.

    American History X is a must-see. You will not be disappointed.
  • JennifairyW
    September 10, 2008
    JennifairyW
    "..See reality in your eyes when hate makes you blind.."
  • kiddviciouscat
    November 13, 2009
    kiddviciouscat
    Has anything you've done made your life better?

    That quote changed my life. Huge epiphany. Need I say more?

  • Sh4dowOfTheD4y
    November 6, 2009
    Sh4dowOfTheD4y
    a quite good movie, captivating, realistic, great performances
    edward norton was awesome ;d
  • jonathanswinter
    November 5, 2009
    jonathanswinter
    One of those movies that everytime you see it you hope the end is different
  • vashti1startrek
    November 4, 2009
    vashti1startrek
    This is a very deep movie.. it covered a controversial subject and did not lose the point. Edward Norton did a superb job
    did not lose ground
  • speedymymy
    November 4, 2009
    speedymymy
    Sérieusement je ne m'attendais ŕ rien en l'écoutant et j'ai beaucoup aimé.
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