American History X | | Cast : | Edward Norton, Edward Furlong | | Director : | Tony Kaye | | Studio : | New Line Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Black & White, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | October 30, 1998 | | DVD Released Date : | September 14, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 31, 2005 | | Summary | An excellent movie carried by an excellent performance | Content
 | Wow! What a movie! I was nervous about this movie, because I thought it might be too much for me. Well, I finally saw it. It was very disturbing and moving and is a masterpiece. The movie is excellent with powerful performances notably by Edward Norton. Where's his oscar? Why'd Roberto Benigni get it? Edward was robbed!
The movie is very powerful and moving and has a very sad and tragic ending. The movie is so sad because it is depicting reality. The watcher sees these skinheads and how awful they are. But, then you think about some of Edward Norton's statements and how they're maybe true. This makes you think a lot. The movie is about the leader of the skinheads, Derek (Edward Norton) who is sent to jail for killing some black guys trying to steal his car. His brother Donny (Edward Furlong) is headed down the same path as Derek but once Derek is released, he is a changed man. He feels bad for what he has done and wants to change. But his brother is confused and the skinheads aern't happy with their ex leader. The movie is so powerful and moving and shows the remarquable transformation of a mean and angry man into a kind and caring man.
This movie is one of my favorites ever and I recommend it to everyone. It's not for light hearted people but this needs to be seen. This is an amazing movie that EVERYONE should see. You'll cry, turn your head away in disgust and might even get 1 or 2 laughs. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 27, 2005 | | Summary | Thought-provoking film, outstanding acting from Norton and Furlong | Content
| This is a powerful movie that deserves all the respect it has gained. It does not present a simple tale of right vs. wrong, but rather puts you in the shoes of people to see how skinhead ideals (or any racist ideals) can take over, and become all-consuming, and shape your life forever. It's not at all a preachy story of a changed man, rather it is an intense portrait of a family hit by race issues, and the stuggles of each family member to come to terms with reality and find their own personal belief system.
The story is told in flashbacks--it opens with Edward Norton's skinhead character getting out of jail for killing a black man. Slowly, we learn the backstory of how he got to be the skinhead leader he was, and what happend to him in prison to make him look at the world differently. I had tears in my eyes during the prison flashback segments.
The Norton character gives many eye-opening monologues on his skinhead ideals. There's just enough truth in what he says to make him dangerous. It's very easy to see how disaffected youth, bullied by gangs, could turn to the skinhead ideals as a safe haven.
This is an amazing movie about racist ideals and family ties. Check it out if you can handle the realism and want to be blown away by some powerful messages. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 16, 2005 | | Summary | A++++ very powerful movie | Content
| I'm not going to talk about the characters and the story but this is a must see. After seeing Edward Norton in Primal Fear and this I realized that this actor is one to keep an eye on. great acting from everyone and a great story, definately worth having. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 07, 2005 | | Summary | BLOWN AWAY! | Content
| I finally got around to seeing American History X tonight after hearing much good hype and it was a great film dealing with ugly issues. Edward Norton deserved the Oscar he was nominated for and I would say this is easily his best performance, followed closely by Fight Club and Primal Fear. Edward Furlong, better known as the whiny kid who played John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, is surprisingly very good here as well. This is one of those movies that I am mad I spent money to rent when I could own this great film for around $10.00. People of all races should see this realistic film dealing with the "stuff" few like to discuss in public, but can still be seen throughout the world. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 22, 2005 | | Summary | One of Eddie Furlong's best... | Content
| ...if that means anything, in reference to a wash-up alky-druggie weakling punk. Once upon a time, the name "Edward Furlong" meant something, and his fans, at least, thought the actor had potential. Those days are long since gone, but at least he can still put PETA in the headlines, eh? If that matters.
Anyway, this movie explores racism, racial differences, hypocrisy and political extremism in a perceptive and entertaining manner. The neo-nazi lead isn't pure evil, but is instead human, with the capacity to think. His minority victims are not pure innocence, either. A complicated story.
So many films that cover the prickly topic of racism adopt a simple and misleading "politically correct" attitude, wherein the minority acts like saints, and the majority acts like villains. I prefer films where everybody acts like humans with all their foibles and faults and, yes, virtues.
Yes, racism is BAD and tolerance is GOOD.
But, to make a movie that is a simple morality play insults the viewer's intelligence. You have to keep it real.
"American History X" keeps it real. |
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