A.D. Miles, Billy Zane, Garret Dillahunt

The story of Danny Balint, who transformed himself from Jewish religious student to a rising star in the Neo-Fascist political movement. In a surprising series of twists and turns, Danny exhibits all ...( read more  read more... )the passion of the converted as he browses militia-movement web sites, utters hate-filled but articulate discourses on Judaism and its teachings, and promotes its ultimate destruction. At a neo-fascist organizing meeting at the home of Lina Moebius 22-year-old Danny impresses people with his articulate violence, especially Lina's bright and complicated daughter, Carla, who is more interested in Danny's mind and passion then in her mother's politics. When his own suppressed identity seems likely to be revealed, he flees to an upstate training enclave, further galvanizing his desire to act out the vicious vilification subscribed to by him and his compatriots. But as events ensue and striking contradictions multiply, something in Danny's soul prompts a complex and incredible resolution.

Flixster Users

85% liked it

18,857 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

85 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Henry Bean

Release Date: April 1, 2002

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DVD Release Date: April 22, 2003

Stats: 1,331 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,331)


  • October 7, 2009
    great performance from ryan gosling
  • June 21, 2009
    It must be a bitch to live under the shadow of something like American History X, which I consider an extraordinary piece of acting and filmmaking. It's a pity, because this movie, by itself, without dumb comparisons between similar-subject-matter movies, is a punch...( read more) in the stomach: but one I enjoyed with a shocked grin on my face.

    Instead of taking the obvious route of shocking the audience with a parade of nazi monsters on screen just for the sake of being shocking, the movie is, from start to finish, a deep, explicit, moving character study, masterfully commanded by a tour-de-force, explosive performance by Gosling.

    It's not about faith or race or politics: it's about fear, anger and confusion. Daniel Balint is one of the most intelligent characters ever portrayed on film. He asks too many questions and has too many doubts to the point when God (or Judaism) doesn't have answers for him. He is, by itself, a beautiful, troubled, charming character, who lures you to his deepest thoughts and the pain in his soul.

    This isn't a movie about Neo Nazis. It's about a powerful mind, searching for answers in all the wrong places.

    The ending is absolutely golden.
  • July 1, 2008
    Excellent, intelligent, heart-breaking.
  • June 23, 2008
    Ryan Gosling does a surprisingly good job here. The film is a little odd, especially the ending, but that doesn't hurt it too much. aggressively direct and thought provoking.
  • April 19, 2008
    Boom. This is awesome.
  • November 9, 2009
    Amazing. A must see movie.
  • October 21, 2009
    superb Ryan Gosling's perfomance is something else.
    the move will linger in your mind for a good week.
  • October 1, 2009
    I really didn't want to watch this film. I am not a big fan of racist movies. But I watched it for the simple fact that Ryan Gosling is in it and I am an avid fan. So I wanted to see him become this role, and that he did.. There were deffinetly moments I cringed and found myself ...( read more)wanting to stop the movie. Ryan seems to throw himself into any and every character he is. I thought his performance was another outstanding one. I think his character is struggling to comes to terms with his relationship with God and the more he fights his Jewish beliefs the closer it brings him to them. I find his character to be very confused on who he wants to be. I am glad I decided to watch this movie and glad I didn't press stop. I think Ryan is such an amazing actor and really doesn't get enough credit. Watch this film..
  • August 8, 2009
    i didn't think ryan gosling did these things. especially loved what hell is supposed to look like.
  • August 4, 2009
    With American History X, and This is England, this is the only other skinhead movie which isn't totally stupid and unrealistic (like Pariah for example). Unfortunately, it lacks excitement, what we look for the most when watching a movie, even if inspired by true facts.

Critic Reviews


June 14, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Ryan Gosling ... is at 22 a powerful young actor. full review

September 18, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A fireball of contradictory ideas that will pin you to your seat. full review

View more The Believer reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • 1HotGrandma
    September 3, 2007
    I HESITATED TO WATCH THIS MOVIE, BEING OF GERMAN/JEWISH HERITAGE. I THOUGHT HERE GOES, ANOTHER I HATE JEWS, SKIN HEAD MOVIE . WRONG! WRONG! THIS IS A MUST SEE MOVIE, PHENOMINAL PERFORMANCE GIVEN BY RYAN GOSLING AS DANNY. YOU WILL FEEL, DISGUST, DISBELIEF,COMPASSION, SHAME & PITY. AND A GOOD LOOK INTO JEWISH TRADITIONS, CULTURES & BELIEFS.
  • jimmorrison713
    August 7, 2007
    good point but I think it was more than self hatred.. I think the charecter was just so frustrated with the fact that his people didnt fight back. One of my favorite parts of the movie was when gosling and some of his skinhead friends were in a group for holocaust victiams and survivors, one old man told a story of how a german soldier impaled his son on a bayonett and gosling replied "what did you do".. meaning, his life was over right there, why not go down with honor and dignity than to live with that kind of scar the rest of your life?..
  • datovs
    August 3, 2007
    I am jewish and even though i don't share a similar view to him (by hating jews) i can still see where he is coming from. If anything, i thing i would accept his hatred than to others because at least he knows what he hates. He was brought up in a jewish environment so hence he knows what he is criticizing. To hate someone or something through ignorance is stupid. To truly hate your enemy, you must truly know your enemy. Great script and acting. A magnificent movie.
  • jimmorrison713
    July 12, 2007
    This movie was really a great 1. I'm really dissapointed that very few people have commented cause that just shows how really great movies can just fly under radar...
  • kdrjmd
    March 6, 2007
    looking forward to see this one.
  • kdrjmd
    March 6, 2007
    has anyone seen this movie.....

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