American History X

As a film about the danger of neo-fascism and racial violence shown in schools as part of education, American History X would work almost flawlessly, but as a drama with artistic ambitions and also with such high ratings from fans, this film is not convincing for me. The problem is not in the actors, because Norton and Furlong belong to the very best that American cinema can count on in this age category, the problem is simply in the unconvincing screenplay that steers the story too much toward a family melodrama, where a school assignment or a fabricated prison story is enough to turn toward the right path, which really doesn't feel authentic. It is not even a film incidentally mapping a very interesting scene of American far-right heavily influenced by Christian fundamentalism, and it is not even a film about the skinhead movement. The film is based on the acting talent of Edward Norton, who underwent an incredible physical transformation and suddenly became an uncompromising guy with a well-built physique and a hateful grin on his face, who can execute members of a black gang in one of the two truly intense scenes. Overall impression: 65%. (01/03/2011)

Let's leave aside the classic methods to provoke the most basic emotions. American History X has an excellent cast (especially Edward Norton, Beverly D'Angelo and Fairuza Balk), and a logically constructed story that makes the viewer think. In addition to the purposefully used B&W sequences, there's also a cleverly interspersed massacre with the rough comedy of a guy from the laundromat who doesn't root for the KKK. (09/01/2013)

Films dealing with racial issues are usually worth it and very good to watch, and American History X is not exception. The story is masterfully directed, incredibly raw and realistic, and manages to evoke exactly that familiar feeling of "Oh my God, this is really happening!" Although a lot of the credit for this goes to Edward Norton, who plays it for dear life and handles the gradual transformation of an independent neo-Nazi in the best and most emotional way, the other actors are also excellent, and so is the direction, which takes us deep into the heart of the human mind and easily holds our attention for almost two hours. Very strong 4* for me. (08/17/2011)

Racism is a problem that we must deal with even here in our little country. Whether those who are racists are truly just idiots or in some cases it may be behavior based on experience and observation, we won't address that, but in general, I believe that labeling is wrong, even though we all do it, so we will have to accept it. However, the racism that is presented to us is wrong. It shows that there is not much distance between the idea and the act, and that should not be the case. While it is true that racism is generally bad, I personally believe that mindless humanism is equally evil. But let's move on to the movie "The Cult of the Swastika." More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/03/kult-hakoveho-krize-1998-85.html (04/10/2013)

Damn well written, acted, and directed. Tendentious in relation to "how people should think about this film" and what conclusion they should then draw from it. The whole "bad boys gone good" storyline (or, in the case of Rihanna, Good Girl Gone Bad) is commercially brilliantly handled, sold, squeezes out the emotions, and willy-nilly pushes the viewer into the philosophy of believing that all hate and anger is tiresome and life-threatening. It's just... it's just that even though almost everything in this film works as it should, in this work there’s no amount of deeper thought that would also make you think more deeply. Paradoxically, the pissed off main character, with all his resentment and hatred, remains the driving force of the entire film, which is a bit funny with the final quote that urges us not to get pissed off and hate our fellow human beings. I'm certainly not saying that American History X is a bad film. Formally and commercially, it is truly a work of art. On the other hand, it boggles my mind how many people get sucked in and fooled by such an essentially linear and superficial story (okay, even I succumbed a bit for a while). 4 stars, but no more. (03/05/2012)