Reviewers Score:
Average Overall Score:
Story lineDerek is an educated and intelligent teenager with a promising future, until his father is Murdered in a black neighbourhood whilst carrying out his duties as a fire-fighter. Derek gives a T.V interview in which he is bitter about his fathers death and makes some racist comments, this culminates in Cameron Alexander (Stacy Keach) taking the young lad under his wing. Alexander is a white power activist, and his persuasive manner leads Derek to build and front a gang of local skinheads which sets about terrorising the local non white residents and shop keepers.
Derek (Edward Norton) ends up in Jail after a violent incident in which he kills 2 black gang members who try to steal his truck, he is sentenced to 3 years for manslaughter in a predominantly black and Hispanic populated Prison. His life is about to change forever...
Danny (Edward Furlong) idolises his older Brother and when he hands in homework entitled "My Mein Kampf" it appears he is following in Derek's footsteps. However, his teacher Mr Sweeney refuses to give up on the boy and sets about changing his views with some private tuition. But Danny has made some enemies of local black gang members, his shaven head, his brothers infamy and the friends he keeps all point to him living the same ill fated life as his brother.
 |
On being released from Jail Derek is a changed man, he is ashamed of his past and knows he has to save Danny and the rest of his family from the violent lives he has subscribed them to. He turns his back on the now very strong "movement" and his Girlfriend who has an unhealthy appetite for violence, making enemies of them both.
Score
There is not very much music in this movie, but what there is adds drama and tension to a film packed with both. The sound is crisp and dialogue is clear.
Extras
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Cast and Crew
--Filmographies
--Biographies
 |
Conclusion
American History X is a powerful, dramatic and often brutal movie which deals with some serious issues in society today, the film has violence and strong language in abundance, however, I feel this is totally in keeping with the storyline and would not have been anywhere near as good a film without it. The acting is superb, in particular Edward Norton is outstanding, with Edward Furlong giving a great performance in the supporting role. The exception to this is Elliot Gould's character and acting which are unbelievable and wooden respectively, especially in his first scene in the film, fortunately his appearances are minimal and do not overly impact the overall movie.
Before this movie I was not aware of Edward Norton, since then I have watched a few of his movies and have never been disappointed - a great actor and one to watch for the future I think.
This is one of my all time favourite films, so it would be hard for me not to recommend it.