American History X (1998).

Directed by Tony Kaye, American History X tells the tale of Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) and Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong). Derek is caught up in the neo-Nazi movement, possibly caused by the murder of his father by a black drug dealer. Danny is his younger brother, who is from a young age influenced by Derek’s ideas and actions. In the present, Derek has just been let out of prison after a 3 year sentence following the murder of two black gang members who tried to steal his truck. His radical views have changed whilst he has served his time, and is trying to stop his brother Danny from coming to the same fate.

Throughout the film, memories of the past are shown in black and white. They reveal how Derek became so strongly opinionated and about how his opinions changed in prison after having to work with a fellow black inmate. One of the most memorable is one where Derek loses control during a family dinner and starts acting violently towards his family when voicing his racist opinions. There were a lot of slow motion shots in this film – the mother breaking down on the pavement, the torturing of a shop worker – I think they give the viewer time to think about the actions they are witnessing, effectively getting the message across in a more dramatic way. I’m not really that sure about this film. Apart from the two brothers, especially Edward Norton, there’s not much to the characters. We have the stereotypical depressed mother, the whatever-you-say girlfriend, the fat guy who just follows everyone else to fit in, yknow, the usual. Though this film is probably more aiming to be politically and socially thought provoking than artistically captured (something I much admire). The ending.. whilst shocking at first, after thinking about it some more, is a bit of a cop out to be honest. There could’ve been a better ending in my opinion, a deeper development of the relationship between the two brothers and the extension of how Danny may change his outlook on life etc. I’m glad I watched this but it hasn’t amazed me. Though I can see why it has built a slight reputation as a cult flick, as it explores the touchy subject of racism in an interesting way (though I have seen better). It has also allowed me to gain an insight to Edward Norton, of whom I have a higher opinion of now. A short review. I am beginning to think the length of my writing reflects my interest in the subject. i.e. Not a lot for this film.