MYST 1: American History X

What could be more American than racism?

 This nation has historically been the site of intense racial prejudice and spectacular 1998 film American History X seeks to paint a picture about the state of racism today, (or a least in the last 20 years).This film is one of those movies that flashes between the past and the present day, represented by black-and-white and color, respectively. The transitions from past to present, however, are extremely smooth and help convey the development of the main character.  The story revolves around a young man: Derrick, played by Edward Norton in one of the best performances of his career, and his brother Danny, played by Edward Furlong. Derrick is a notorious former neo-nazi skinhead who has recently been released from prison for the murder of an African-American and has become disillusioned to the white power movement while in prison.

 This film turns out to be as good as it is shocking, just as any politically charged film with controversial subject matter, and displays scenes of intense violence and racism. A good drinking game(if you're 21) for this movie would be to take a shot every time you see a swastika because there are a lot along with other racist images, slurs, and symbols and when these come together  it produces some of the most moving shots in cinema history. For example after coming home Derrick, is just getting out of the shower. He looks in the mirror in a medium shot and lays his hand upon the huge swastika on his chest realizing that the symbol and what it represents have not caused his life to get better and it is to blame for all for his time in prison.

While Derrick was incarcerated Danny has become more and more involved with the movement. The film brilliantly uses Derrick's past to portray the evolution and eventual metamorphosis of a racist and how Danny seems to be heading down the same path. This connects to a theme that really captures modern racism within the film which is how easily the hate and anger present in so many people of all races and creeds can be exploited and how impressionable they can be, this is especially present in Danny as we see how all the people in his life are seeking to make him think a certain way.

This film is very interesting in its portrayal of modern racism as it generally unbiased as it shows that contrary to what the skinheads and most people think about it, it's not all black and white. (this is likely why the parts of the film in the past are in Black-And-White) Rather racism is shown as a complex gray area with points on both sides this is true in one scene where Derrick and his family discuss the recent events

All in All American History X succeeds in painting a portrait of racism today that both you and your secretly racist Grandfather can appreciate. It has remained relevant throughout the, admittedly through circumstance rather than choice, but that doesn't change the fact that this film is for this generation a beacon of tolerance and understanding. I'd like to end the review with a quote from the movie which is truly the most timeless element of the film: "Hate is baggage, life is too short to be pissed off all the time, it's just not worth it." I rate this film a 9.75/10