On a base of Racism, nazism, violence, rioting throw in Edward Norton,looking like he never has (and probably never will), some brilliant dialogues and some poignant acting...you have American History X.
I shall never again be able to associate Edward Norton with the skinny, cunning kid of Primal Fear or the quiet Illusionist . The muscular, tattooed, skin head with crazy, pride-filled, glinting eyes, gazing at his brother across the road as the police take him down, will forever be imprinted in my head.
Two things you never feel while watching the movie...One...its a narration.....Two...the events take palce in less than a day in real time. The story is abut an ex- neo nazi fanatic(Edward Norton) who tries to stop his brother from falling into the same trap as he. Norton goes to jail and his brother tries to live upto Norton's reputation. His brother emerges from jail a changed man and tries to set the boy straight.
The movie potrays racist violence in a new light(much more "in your face" than Crash). It actually hit me how important racial identity is to some people and the lengths to which they are ready to go to preserve their sense of security and justice. Some of the most profound dialogues come from Norton's African- American friend in jail, though they are said in a lighter vein.
What I liked best about the movie....It potrays the futility of violence like no other film....that, violence is no soution but it is the problem...that, differences are not solved by hitting out but by reaching out...If not right then, your shots will come back to hit you at a later time and you will not like it.
A must watch....Dont miss it....And love(or ignore) thy fellow men!!
