American History X (Edward Norton, Edward Furlong)
I'll get my major stumbling block out of the way first. This way, I can use the rest of the review to highlight the film's merits. In two scenes in American History X, specific characters either a) become white supremacists or b) decide not to become white supremacists -- after only one conversation. Are we really meant to believe it's that easy for a 17-year old to be swayed in real life? Racist attitudes are creeds and ways of life; they are infrequently spur-of-the-moment decisions as the movie would have us believe.
That being said, this is still a gritty feature that boasts a strong cast and some fine direction by Tony Kaye. X folklore has it that Kaye wanted his name removed from the credits because he felt the final product was edited unfairly and thus his artistic vision was compromised. Regardless, the end result is still assembled quite cohesively. Using colour film to demonstrate the present, black and white to show the lengthy flashback sequences, and intermittent slow motion shots for added effect, the narrative is never sacrificed for the scenes of shocking brutality or cruel prejudice.
An arresting and disturbing Edward Norton plays Derek Vinyard, a young neo-Nazi who commands the attention of his peers due to his articulate and persuasive arguments against any other race or religion. This includes his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong), who joins the cause more from a need to follow, than as a carefully thought out choice. Danny and lumbering acquaintance Seth (Ethan Suplee) carry the racist torch during Derek's absence, after the older brother has been sentenced to three years for his part in the deaths of three black men. During his prison term, Derek gradually befriends a black inmate (Guy Torry) and decides to step back from his leadership role among the Skinheads when he is released. His mentor Cameron (Stacy Keach), is less than thrilled with this prospect.
Although it can be easier to portray anger than other emotions, the actors still generate humane tones with the material. Elliott Gould is just right as a Jewish man who dates Derek's fragile mother (Beverly d'Angelo). Fairuza Balk and Jennifer Lien provide a good point/counter-point relationship as two women in Derek's life (his girlfriend and his sister) who oppose each other's stances concerning the racial divide. Avery Brooks makes an appearance as an African-American high school principal who hopes to help Danny in the same way that he helped Derek.
Without revealing too much of the story of American History X, I will say that it is good to see a film convey the importance of placing responsibility on the families themselves to turn anti-semitic people around. If we notice someone we care about who is being consumed with hatred and racism, the film implies that these attitudes are often adopted and learned by osmosis from one's surroundings. The best people who can help to reverse these ideologies are the ones that helped to plant those seeds of evil thought in the first place.
