American History X

Director:
Tony Kaye

Writer:
David McKenna

Cast:
Edward Norton as Derk Vineyard
Edward Furlong as Daniel Vineyard
Avery Brooks as Dr. Sweeney
Guy Torry as Lamont

Released: 1998
Studio: New Line
Box Office: $6,719,864

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
IMDB Score: 8.6

Date Seen: July 23, 2009
Format: Blu-ray

One of the most powerful, moving, emotionally charged films I have ever seen. American History X is the story of a family ripped apart by the consequences of hate, bigotry, and racism. Derek Vineyard, played by Edward Norton in an Oscar nominated performance, is the leader of a neo-nazi gang in Venice Beach. He is arrested for the murder of two black gang members and sentenced to three years in prison. In prison he initially joins in with the other whites, but he soon realizes they cooperate with the Mexicans and blacks. this does not fit in with his ideals he splits with that group. They violently teach him a lesson and he ends up befriending one of the black inmates. When he gets out, he learns that his little brother has followed in his footsteps and Derek tries to reform Danny.

This movie takes one of the hardest and most uncompromising looks at racism that I have ever seen. I’m at a loss for words trying to describe how it makes me feel. All I know is I am emotionally exhausted when it is over. It is, in my opinion, one of the defining films of the last 20 years. The main point of the movie is that nothing good ever comes from hate. The Vineyard family is almost torn to shreds by the aftermath of what happened to Derek. Only when Derek denounces his hatred do they begin to pick up the pieces again. The ending montage of the film says that one should always end with a quote since someone else has already said it best. I leave you with the ending quote from the film.

“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.”
-Abraham Lincoln

Favorite Performance:
Edward Norton as Derek Vneyard

Favorite Quote:
Danny: Hate is baggage. Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time. It’s just not worth it.

Grade:
A

Recommendation:
I personally own it and everyone should see it at least once.