AMERICAN HISTORY X
American History X touches on such controversial topics as racism, affirmative action, illegal immigration, the continued existence of NEO-NAZI hate groups, and the reasons these groups are formed, within American society, the exploitation of vulnerable youth of all races by gangs, intra- and inter-racial violence and other topics that still split American society.
Tony Kaye’s film is a thoughtful and sometimes shockingaccount of a skinhead’s descent into murder and his eventualattempt at rehabilitation. The film is driven by two outstandingperformances, from Edward Norton and Edward Furlong. Norton issimply frightening as the hate-filled Derek, all shaven scowl andbedecked with swastika tattoos. His portrayal depicts a keenintellect corrupted by an unfocussed rage. However, EdwardFurlong has arguably the harder role, as it is more subtle andless showy. As a gangly teenager, desperate for a sense ofbelonging, and looking for someone to look up to, Furlong’s Dannylooks as uncomfortable in his own body as he does in hissurroundings. The film is sustained by the sheer power of theirperformances.
Kaye’s direction is visually striking, even if he does tend tooverdue his use of slow-motion shots and allegorical imagery. Heuses grainy black and white for the flashback sequences, whichadds a documentary (and more ominous) feel to them. Kaye presentsa couple of truly shocking (though not gratuitous) sequences -the double killing opens the movie and is shown again near theend of the movie. It is a sign of Kaye’s confidence and talentthat he shows the same scene twice, since when we see the murdersat the start of the movie, we merely see a menacing-lookingskinhead committing a violent act. When we see the killing laterin the movie, we are aware of what drives Derek; we see thekilling in a different context, and it is still as shocking andterrifying as the first time.
Kaye’s treatment of racism and racists is far more thoughtfulthan the polemic approach favoured by Lee. However, the filmseems to suggest that young intelligent people (such as Derek andDanny) just need some moral guidance to cure them of their racisturges. The rest of Derek’s gang are portrayed as fools, andtherefore beyond redemption. This theory is somewhat underminedby the presence of Cameron, a confirmed racist who is obviouslysmart too. As the film concludes, the suggested realsource of Derek’s racist hatred is far too simplistic and naive, and it ignores the obvious tension arising from the naturalconflict between culturally separate groups (white and blackworking class neighbourhoods). Another flaw in the movie is thedepiction of Derek’s conversion :- as someone who hates blackpeople enough to kill two men for a triviality, his change ofheart in prison is unconvincing. The film may be naive in itsbeliefs but it is still an infinitely better insight into theminds of racists.