The great strength of the film "American History X" is its believable levels of horror. The story opens we watch Derek shoot two black kids who try to steal his car. The scene is black and white so we know it's a flashback--a technique that is used to great effect throughout the film. Then we are suddenly in color and the present. It seems younger brother Danny is in trouble at school for writing a paper on Mein Kampf. The teacher, Eliot Gould, wants him expelled, but the Principal, Avery Brooks is not willing to throw in the towel just yet. Instead, he decides to teach Danny himself. The course will be American History X and the first assignment is a paper about his brother Derek, due in 24 hours.

        Of course the timing of the paper is not accident, since it's set on the day that Derek is released from prison. And so the film is set in motion as Danny sets off to make meaning of his brother's experiences. In real time the film takes place over the period of the next day, but many flashbacks are employed to fill in the gaps.

        Edward Norton is Derek and Edward Furlong is Danny in two brilliant performances. The more I see of Edward Norton the more I like him. His innocence as Aaron Stampler in "Primal Fear" made me nervous. His foolishness as Worm in "Rounders" made me angry, but in "American History X" his insanity coupled with his beauty is a terrifying and chilling combination. The camera spends a long time looking at Edward Norton. Especially during the flashbacks the action is often halted to slow-mo while we look at Derek. It's almost as if by staring at him we might understand something of the horror of this character. It's a completely human reaction. We stare at something we find unbelievable, or fascinating. And Derek Vineyard is both.

        There are many moments of discomfort in this film. The violence is graphic and nauseating. But probably what made me anxious was the overly long time spent articulating skinhead doctrine. Edward Norton is such a convincing orator that I am concerned viewers might be swayed by his arguments.

        But there is no missing the moral of the film as we follow the story to it's predictable conclusion. Even without Anne Dudley's score we know that this film is going to be moralistic. Dudley's score is really delightful, especially the opening credits where sweeping vocal swells match the visual waves of Venice Beach. However, the final minutes are a little over the top. It made me want to scream, "Okay I get it, is going to bite the bullet here, get on with it."

        But what do you expect. American History X is not, after all, a Disney musical, but rather a chronicle of the insanity of hatred. And the way out of this hatred? According the film it can only come one person at a time. In prison, Derek's saving grace is Lamont, his black co-worker, played brilliantly by Guy Torry. Through Lamont Derek comes to understand that people are just people.

        In short, I loved this film. It reminds me a lot of the Australian film "Romper Stomper" in that American History X is as disturbing as it should be to adequately chronicle the senselessness of hate.

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