By Richa Singh
Featured in IMDb Critic Reviews
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| American History X (1998) - By Tony Kaye |
IMDb Ratings: 8.6
Genre: Crime | Drama
Cast: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo
Country: USA
Language: English
Language: English
Runtime: 119
Color: Black and White | Color
Summary: A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did.
It’s the first scene of American History X that
sets the tone of the movie ahead. Derek murders the three black guys who have
been trying to break into his truck. But what makes this incident more
impactful is his young, innocent brother Danny watching the whole thing from
the sidelines.
Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) was only
a teenager when his father was murdered by black drug dealers. The death of his father draws Derek towards a
neo-nazi movement heralded by Cameron which targets and agitates against
non-white community. The influence of his inclination towards this movement and
its ideologies is seen at most in Danny (Edward Youlang) who begins to
somewhere idolize them.
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| Edward Norton as Derek Vinyard in Tony Kaye's American History X |
One can judge that the story though
shown to be as Derek’s transformation if understood deeply is the turmoil faced
by a young boy who wishes to do everything his elder brother does. Danny whose
life begins to resonate much of Derek’s, writes a history paper in school which
praises Hitler. It’s this that triggers the principal to throw him out of the
school. But on insistence of Dr. Bob Sweeny, English teacher he is let off with
a lighter punishment. And the punishment is that he has to attend a class with
Sweeny called “American history X”.
As part of his first assignment Danny
is asked to write a paper on Derek and events leading up to his imprisonment.
The movie is of course narrated in nonlinear
fashion. And so far we know that Derek has been imprisoned for his cold blooded
murder and all his life up to that point, he has pursued a trajectory of hatred
and racism. In fact even his conviction in the crime does not make him feel
guilty for his actions.
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| Edward Furlong as Danny Vinyard in American History X |
But it’s when Derek is released from
jail for good behavior and he returns home that the story takes an opposite
turn. Derek finds out that his family has been a wreck after him. Financially
depleted with four kids to take care of his mother has begun to suffer from
cancer. But its Danny which alarms him
the most. He has taken to Derek in all respects and has joined Cameron’s group
equipped with all the neo-nazi tattoos and the clean shaven look. Sweeney
briefs Derek about his Mein Kampf essay and also the imperative expulsion from school.
The night when Cameron throws a party
to welcome Derek’s return, Derek confronts him about all his actions. He says
that he had come to the party only to leave Cameron’s group and that he wants
his brother to stay away from all this. But Cameron doesn’t get moved by it and
the chain of events finally lead to Derek and Danny running away from the party
to escape more attack.
It’s here that Danny shouts at Derek and expresses his confusion over his metamorphosed behavior.
It’s here that Danny shouts at Derek and expresses his confusion over his metamorphosed behavior.
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| A Still from Tony Kaye's American History X |
Derek has returned a changed man. He
has stopped believing in his principles of yore. He has come to terms with the
fact that hate only breeds hate. And all this has been the result of his time
in prison. He narrates to Danny how when he went to jail he befriended a group
of prisoners called Aryan Brotherhood. Of course this group like Cameron’s is
an all-white group and is involved in hate crimes. But it’s when he realizes
that they are into drugs too that Derek objects. This creates a lot of bad
blood and what happens is beyond anyone’s imagination. Derek is raped by these
people in jail. And he realizes that his trust has been floundered. He concludes
that they are of no one’s- whites or blacks, they are there for their own
motives.
In jail Derek is helped by a black man
who becomes friends with him and it’s because of his support that Derek is left
alone by other black groups and is able to survive his term without being
further attacked.
This incident marks his transformation
and he now wants to start afresh and wants Danny to follow his path.
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| Edward Norton in American History X |
Derek and Danny return home and clear
out all the neo-nazi posters and things from their room. They decide to start a
new life. Next morning Danny decides to submit his paper for “American History
X” and Derek decides to meet his parole officer.
Whether they are able to get out of
this or not? Whether their reform came a bit too late? All these questions can
be answered if you do watch this movie.
Ranked at 33 in IMDB ratings, American
history X is one of the best movies which play the devil’s advocate in this
racist war. There is a scene where Derek stands outside a store run by Koreans
and with immigrants as workers and incites the white guys to vandalize it, is
one of my favorites. Norton, at its best in this movie, plays the two sides of
the same coin flawlessly.
The movie is perfectly paced and the
incidents are scattered in a way that always leaves you wanting to know next.
Edward Norton already a seasoned actor will definitely impress you but its
little Youlang with his dead pan expression that presents the surprise package.
The movie is more or less about these two and what transpires between them. If
you are a huge fan of Edward Norton (like enjoyed him in Hulk or The
Illusionist) then this movie is a must watch for you.
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| A Still from American History X |
His style like always is never the same
in any two movies and in this too, the innocent, lopsided grin that he always
sports will leave you enchanted even as he spews venom and hatred minute after
minute.
About Author -
This guest review is written by Richa Singh. Richa is Writer, Photographer, Wife, Automobile Design Engineer, Blogger, Trained Classical Singer, Kathak Dancer, Sister, Daughter, Human - all stumbled into in reverse order. Richa blogs at The Philosopher's Stone. The views expressed by the author are personal.
Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!
For more information on the title, please click on the following links:
For more information on the title, please click on the following links:
American History X (1998) Trailer
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A very good review of a brilliant, if very depressing, film with a great performance from Norton.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin... I am glad you liked it... Richa has indeed done well to capture the essence of the film!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteOf course the movie is depressing but it is the message in the end which teaches us more "Life is too small to be pissed all the time"... its probably the whole crux of the movie...
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Very well said!
ReplyDeleteThe best line of this review which summarizes Edward's performance "Norton, at its best in this movie, plays the TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN flawlessly"
ReplyDeleteI think Norton's performance is the movie's strongest point. In fact, it's Norton's performance that raises the movie above mediocrity. And it's simply amazing how he's able to play the two sides so flawlessly... something that reminds me of his supernal portrayal in David Fincher's Fight Club.
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