American History X focuses on two brothers, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) and his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong) as it alternates between Danny in the present and Derek from the past. With their father - a fireman - having been shot while on duty, Danny looks up to Derek as his biggest influence. The problem is Derek's an avowed Neo-Nazi and member of a South Los Angeles skinhead gang. Following an attempted break-in by a couple of Crips, Derek shoots one dead and curb stomps the other. He is then sentenced to three years for voluntary manslaughter. Cut to present day. After turning in a paper praising Mein Kampf, Danny is forced by his school principal to write a paper about his brother who is set to be released from prison that same day. Derek, now a changed man, is clearly upset by his brother's way of life, but in no way is surprised. He realizes he is the sole reason and influence Danny is the way he is. Not wanting to see his little brother go down the same destructive path he set for himself, Derek goes out of his way, even putting his life on the line, to show Danny that the life he's pursuing isn't worth it and that he's living proof of it.
I'm a big Edward Norton fan, and can name a number of films of his that I've more than enjoyed. It's this film, though, where we see Norton's most risky performance. As Derek Vinyard, Norton doesn't pull any punches and in no way holds back. He takes this role head-on and the result is amazing. This isn't a cutesy, made for TV transformation of character either. His change of heart is genuine and the path leading up to it is by no means easy for him to endure. Edward Furlong (most remembered as John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day) gives one of his best performances ever as Derek's young, impressionable brother Danny and the supporting cast featuring Elliott Gould, Fairuza Balk, Stacy Keach, Ethan Suplee, Guy Torry, Avery Brooks and Beverly D'Angelo is equally strong. There's also a quiet yet memorable cameo appearance by William Russ (my generation would most remember him as Alan Matthews, aka Cory's dad, from TV's Boy Meets World) as Derek and Danny's father who acts as the possible influence for Derek's own mindset. Director Tony Kaye does a terrific job painting Derek's dark past with scenes in black and white. It poses a sharp contrast to the scenes of present day in color all leading to a conclusion that has even a cold-hearted son of a bitch like me feeling a lump in my throat. While not an easy film to watch for some, this is still a powerful movie and one you won't forget.
Good fuckin movie
ReplyDelete