Explore the dark parts of society. Review on American History X Movie

American History X is for me the story that embodies everything that is foul about racism. It is also a story about how the most savage of characters can be redeemed and brought back from a sociopathic precipice.

The film begins with an introduction to Derek, an incredibly focussed and very clever white supremacist. Derek, played disturbingly well by Edward Norton, demonstrates the savagery imbued to him by his mentor Cameron in an attempt to protect his van that a gang of black youths are attempting to break into. He kills one in probably the harshest manner I have seen on film. This section of the film is of an incredibly dark nature and the comments that the viewer is subjected to regarding the beliefs of this racist minority are damning of society as a whole for allowing such views to still be given credence to.

As a result of the killings Derek is sentenced to a prison term of several years where the concepts and ideals he holds most dear are challenged. He is able to reflect upon these challenges and as a result of his intelligence and the lack of exposure to Cameron he reforms his attitudes and approach to life. Meanwhile his younger brother Danny has been chosen by Cameron as the new child prodigy.

Whilst in jail Derek suffers the indignity virtually all men fear, he is raped by fellow inmates (also white supremacists), who feel his love of the cause is flagging – as a result he is befriended by a coloured inmate who works in the same laundry room as Derek. It is this companionship that keeps the reformation of Derek alive.

The tutelage that both Derek and Cameron give to Danny throughout the film is the trigger for a series of occurrences that form the background for the film, most important of all of these, the American History X(hence the title of the film) assignment that Danny is required to write for his teacher.

The climax when it comes is compiled with the mastery of the Nazi propaganda machine, whipping the audience into a frenzy of disbelief at the final act of a process begun many years before.

Overall a marvellously thought provoking film that sometimes beggars belief at what one human will do to another. It also demonstrates the power of propaganda over youths, not necessarily from poor backgrounds, who see the espousers of such horror as marvellous political leaders.