Violence is a way of life!! (American History X (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	American History X (DVD)
Date:	26/03/08 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great direction and acting

Disadvantages: Harrowing content

This 1998 film was met with critical acclaim as well as some horrified viewers. The tale of racial violence is hard hitting and very well directed and acted, and is not for the faint hearted.

The Plot

Derek Vinyard went to prison for crimes he commited as a white supremacist skinhead. Freshly out of prison, he looks to have turned a new leaf and, armed with the memory of his father's death, seeks to prevent his little brother Danny from going down the same path that led him to prison. The plot deals with some issues that are very much in the fore and probably will be for a while. It shows the acts of racists through the panic and fear that beset them, and the obsession they have for violence.

The Cast and Performances

This is a tale of two awesome Edwards. Edward Norton is Derek, the former skinhead white supremacist reformed by his harrowing prison experiences. Norton portrays a character struggling with his past and trying to put it behind him. And he does so excellently. There are scenes of absolute magnificence from him. I consider it his best ever performance. Edward Furlong is Danny, the little brother so keen to follow in his brother's footsteps but so emotionally marred by his own father's murder that he, too, finds turmoil with his past, but for Danny, it is mainly the events he regularly witnesses at school and home that steer him down a dangerous path.

The support cast perform well, and they are directed brilliantly by Tony Kaye who succeeds in focusing on the two lead brothers over everyone else, despite powerful performances from Beverley d'Angelo as the mother and Avery Brooks as Dr Bob Sweeney.

My Opinion

This film has some very disturbing moments. I am sure many will find them necessary for the film, but if I were to take a completely critical nature, I know many would value the film less because of the content. I am not one of these, and the message of the level of racism hits home very hard in indeed. This is definitely not a film for the faint hearted, as I have already mentioned. The tale of emotional struggle between beliefs and what will happen if those beliefs are followed is superbly handled, and the film ends leaving a sour note in the throat.

It is worth noting this film carries an 18 rating, and warns of scenes of graphic violence, rape and strong language.

Conclusion

I rate this film as 4 stars out of 5. It is very well directed and acted, but fails to get 5 stars due to the level of content. While it is handled very professionally, it is still there and puts me off somewhat from watching it again.

The DVD is available from amazon.co.uk for £4.98

This review may also be posted on ciao.co.uk

Thanks for reading

Summary: American History X (1998) - disturbing but brilliant