Review of American History X (1998) by Samantha S — 04 Jan 2015

Class A nutbag and one-hit-wonder Tony Kaye delivers an anti-hate film with an emotional hit akin to a mallet on a drawing pin. And he pulls no punches, or curbstomps, in the both brutal and emotionally wrenching story of Derek Vinyard (a legendary Edward Norton), an ex-neo-Nazi who returns from jail and desperately tries to right his wrongs, including preventing his younger brother from straying down the same path.

With present time presented in color and flashbacks of the events leading to Derek's arrest shown in naked, visceral back and white, Kaye molds what is essentially two films with incredible tact and respect.

Hugely controversial in it's day for its brutal content, but the true controversy is the disheartening fact that we all can relate to Derek Vinyard in some way. American History X may be ridiculed for laying the message a bit thick and a contrived ending, but the truth is every film since has tried to imitate its resonance.