Jack Choo
Directed by Tony Kaye
Starring : Edward Norton (Derek Vinyard)
Edward Furlong (Danny Vinyard)
Stacey Keach (Cameron)
Avery Brooks (Sweeny)
Fairuza Balk (Stacey)
Written by David McKenna
Running Time : 2hrs approx.
Opens 18th March 1999 in Singapore
Rating : **** out of *****
This Review Filed: March 13, 1999.
American History X oozes with hate, anger and violence
![[ Pic from Film ]](/film/images/1999.1/americanhistoryx.jpg)
Derek Vinyard (Norton, all beefed up and tattooed for the role) is alerted by his brother Danny (Furlong) that a few black-guys are outside their home, trying to steal his car. Without a trace of hesitation, cool and looking as if an opportunity just came knocking, Derek cocks his gun and makes his way to the front door. The first black man is killed instantly, his body riddled with bullets from Derek's handgun. The other is immobilized and falls onto the pavement struggling to get up, possibly to escape death while Derek shoots incessantly at the getaway car until his bullets run out. Then, with a sly smile on his face, he paces deliberately towards the injured "thief," and finished him off, smashing his face onto the pavement with one powerful blow from his 15" boots. This act cost him 3 years in prison.
Derek did not in any way believe that he was protecting anything when he shot those men. You see, he's a neo-nazi, a skin-head, a soldier of hate. When he left for prison, he did not only leave his family but also a legacy and group of avid admirers, all of whom are waiting for his return; his family hoped for his reform while his gang and hate-mentor, Cameron (Keach), waited for his `charismatic' leadership. While in prison, his brother Danny followed in his footsteps; his beliefs, his admirers but all the time beneath his legendary shadow. Sweeney (Brooks), Derek and Danny's school principal are well aware of the situation and is convinced that Danny can be swayed from his current path, away from his brother's inevitable fate.
![[ Pic from Film ]](/film/images/1999.1/americanhistoryx2.gif)
Upon the Derek's end of sentence, both gang, family and brother are surprised of his "reformed" ways. His family is delighted to see a very sober young man, determined to right all the wrongs he has imposed upon those who genuinely love him. His gang is shocked and dismayed by his total loss of belief in the cause. Danny lays in confusion. He is torn by the fact that all that he ever idolized in his brother had entirely disappeared and he was left alone with nothing to hang on to. Cameron, on the other hand, is determined to keep Danny within the "cause," even with the violent threats from Derek in order to let his brother leave the group. Derek then details the past 3 years of his life in prison to Danny, to tell him his harsh lesson and justify his need to turn over a new leaf.
Even when they are both saved from all this confusion and hate, they still have to face up with the residues in which their lifestyle had left them. Derek faces imminent revenge from the black gangs over his crime and Danny faces the price of his cockiness over the black gangs in his school, this time, both without the embrace and protection of their "cause."
The story is told in the perspective of the protagonist, Danny and relies heavily on black and white flashbacks which details their lives in the gang as well as the life of Derek while in prison. Director Tony Kaye, a prominent commercial director, in his debut feature-length film, plays the role as director, director of photography as well as the camera operator to ensure that the visuals tie in just as he wanted it to be and what a great work he has done. His use of wide-angled shots and natural lighting brings the audience much closer to the characters. Although it was reported that the film was not edited under his supervision (it was rumoured that he took too much time to finish the editing process), but rather that of Edward Norton's, he agreed that the final cut resulted in a good film. He believes though, that it could have been a great film.
Even so, AMERICAN HISTORY X is a powerful film. There are many traces of loopholes and Hollywood indulgence here and there but the end result is, nevertheless, potent. Edward Norton's brutal and intense portrayal of Derek and later on in the film, the reformed version, is by no means an easy task. Of all the films he has received critical reviews for (including the Academy Award nomination for his role in PRIMAL FEAR), AMERICAN HISTORY X most certainly will give him the best to date. Edward Furlong (who launched his career as the Connor-kid in TERMINATOR II) does very well too as the "lost and found" Danny.
American History X is indeed potent in its message on racism. Perhaps the best thing in this movie is how it does not preach the racism message but rather focus on the development of its characters and allow then the message to be willingly digested, regardless of who's watching.
The Flying Inkpot's Rating System
* Wait for the TV2 broadcast.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha!
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
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