Neo-nazi gang leader Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) kills two armed black guys that try to steal his truck. This gets him 3 years in prison.
Derek’s younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong) is fascinated by his brother and proudly following in his footsteps. His Nazi-praising history project lands him in trouble with headmaster Sweeney, who tells him to prepare another project -on his brother- for the next day. Danny thinks this project is his only problem but to his biggest surprise, Derek has gotten out of the prison as a different man. Not only he no longer believes in the neo-nazi ideology, he also doesn’t want Danny to hang with his old gang and crowd. What happened to Derek? How did the angry, frustrated young guy who put his family through hell because of his beliefs turn into this open-minded, loving guy regretting his mistakes? And will he really be able to keep his brother away from his past?
This 1998 drama is one of the most powerful movies I have seen. It has a 8.6 on IMDB and I think it deserves every bit of it. Edward Norton was nominated for a best actor Oscar and it really puzzles me that he didn’t get it. Every cast member does a wonderful job but the heavy-lifting is on the shoulders of Norton and Furlong. Some argue that the movie could have been more subtle. Well, the movie really is in your face. It doesn’t go easy on you and it doesn’t give a damn about your comfort. But this is a strength for the movie, not a weakness. It deals with racism, crime, street gangs, family, love, hatred, faith, hope, rage…It just wouldn’t do the movie any favors to be subtle.
It was directed by Tony Kaye and written by David McKenna. Roberto Benigni won Best Actor for La Vita é bella. Good film and good performance, but I find American Histroy X to be better. Not that I believe in the academy anymore. I mean why wouldn’t someone nominate Mel Gibson for best actor in Braveheart?
Anyway. What I am saying is American History X is a must-see. It is like a shock in the system, told powerfully and impressively.
photo: rise-worldwide.com
Enjoy the trailer:
[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXaZENPQrsw[/pro-player]
I remember seeing this one a few years back!! loved it!! I was very intense and realistic!!
Yeah, it is so powerful. It is like you are being given a wake-up call. And it is just so haunting. It makes me pissed that Roberto Benigni got the oscar instead. Yes, Life is Beautiful was a good, solid little movie but…I don’t know…this one just got to me more…Especially the ending. I was expecting something tragic but I wasn’t expecting that!