Review of American History X (1998) by Alexander C — 07 Dec 2012

''So I guess this is where I tell you what I learned - my conclusion, right? Well, my conclusion is: Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it. Derek says it's always good to end a paper with a quote. He says someone else has already said it best. So if you can't top it, steal from them and go out strong. So I picked a guy I thought you'd like. '''.

A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did.

Edward Norton: Derek Vinyard.

Edward Furlong: Danny Vinyard.

Redemption its a powerful thing. Redemption its in us all, American History X tells the story of a man fighting inner demons to save a family that is being consumed by his ever growing hate.

Edward Norton gives a shudderingly effective performance that derives of class acting as Derek who is a man fighting to make his life better after being a neo-nazi. Edward Furlong also as is brother gives an amazing turn. Good to see him in a movie besides Terminator 2.

Anyone notice Avery Brooks and Jennifer Lien were in Star trek. Avery was in Deep Space Nine and Jennifer in Voyager.

Also one of the girls from the craft Fairuza Balk.

Use of black and white for flashbacks is a stroke of genius. Slickly shot, amazing close ups of anguish and raw emotion.

As you can tell from my quote and what I've said previously this story tells a pivotal simple truth and moral of hate and redemption and that overcoming it can be the greatest thing of all.

American History X is like a shotgun between the eyes, when it reaches its harrowing climax, tragedy laced with a bitter after thought. A regret for past transgressions.

A classic.

''We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.''.