Derek Vineyard (Edward Norton) is a former neo-nazi released from prison after a three year stretch for killing two black gang members who were trying to steal his truck. His spell in prison has made him change his ways and his opinions. His younger brother Danny looks set to follow in his footsteps, and Derek tries to encourage him to change. However, first he needs to break the hold that charismatic Neo Nazi leader Cameron Alexander (Stacy Keach) has over him.

You know, this film has an over 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and I’m baffled as to why since it seems to be a movie made by simpletons to appeal to simpletons. I doubt that any Neo-Nazi will walk away from this movie having their views changed… and I don’t understand why an anti-racist (like me) would want to watch this movie either. As it seems to spend a couple of hours trying to drum stuff into us that we already know.

The heavy handed symbolism is far two obvious, for instance all the flashbacks being shown in black and white. Cause these neo-nazi guys only see black and white! How clever! How bloody patronizing more like.

I hate how the character’s reasons for changing are so one dimensional. Derek Vineyard changes his views after being assaulted in the prison shower by fellow neo-nazis, and being befriended by a black inmate. Something like this would not change a man’s views who is so full of anger as his reasons for being the way he is are very personal. Just does not ring true that these two simple things would make him turn on a dime like that.

Stacy Keach is awesome as Cameron Alexander in one of the movie’s greatest performances. But would Derek Vineyard really be as stupid as to beat the hell out of him at a neo-nazi gathering WITHOUT fear of reprisals against his vulnerable family? This is just one of the many badly thought out elements in this simplistic, and preachy story.

We all know that racism is not a subtle subject  – but that doesn’t mean the movie should be without subtlety either. It’s far too obvious and on the nose. And the supporting characters are stereotypical and badly acted.

American History X wants to be a searing, powerful drama that deals with human issues and delivers a strong moral message – but just comes across as a TV movie with more swearing and violence that usual.

This reviewer just got the feeling that the message of the film is “Racism is bad”.

Gee thanks guys. I actually knew that. Now, can I please have the two hours of my life that I spent watching this film back?

If there isn’t supposed to be a message, and it’s just supposed to be a drama- then it’s unconvincing, episodic and shot like a Nike advert.

And the so called “shock ending” is flat and pointless. More of a comment on the movie itself than the issues it deals with.

Far better films like Mississippi Burning and even Kathryn Bigelow’s sci-fi thriller Strange Days deal with similar issues in a far more effective way.

American History X is just an ugly, nasty waste of time. And I can see why director Tony Kaye wanted to disown it. The fact that what most people remember about it is the “curb stomping” scene really says it all.

Bad movie.

EDIT 16/07/10

This review has generated a fair amount of controversy amongst forum users on Playmountain, so I’ve set up a thread with a poll to discuss this further. http://www.playmountain.net/forum/index.php?topic=4252.0

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