![]() So a large part of their day and time and thoughts were devoted to protecting themselves and their families from outside forces. I grew up in a working-class area that was predominantly white and a lot of people were struggling to make ends meet. ![]() Yes I am invoking a cliche here, but this movie actually feels more relevant today than it did when it was made. The tragedy works as a powerful moment but not inherently as a counter balance. ![]() The most powerful points of the movie were the racists ones and there should of been powerful points that contradict that beyond a black friend. I'm not the biggest fan of the movie and as you point out they handle his growth is a melodramatic and shallow way but I consider that to be the core problem. I don't think the movie works without him being articulate and is a major reason for it being a good movie. The story is a tragedy where the hate Norton helped create as this charismatic Nazi catches up to him even after he grows as a person and moves past it. Its fair to criticize but its a deliberate decision by the writter. It would be horrible and dangerous if everyone did it but the movies is doing it within the context of almost all other movies doing the opposite with their racism and it works as far as story because we see why his kid brother and other people are influenced by him so strongly. Its an understandable decision to do that but there is something lost only showing cartoonishly stupid people as racist that American History X subverts by having a great actor be charismatic in a way that's evil. Anti-racism movies are playing with fire and often neuter the charisma and articulate talking points a racist could possibly have so as not to show anything emotionally powerful being associated with racism. Its not carelessness, the movie knows what its doing and is breaking a trope in that scene by actually showing an argument that's articulate and fits the character. Just look at the youtube comments on all the scenes of this film most of the comments are people praising/agreeing with Derek I don't doubt that they're the minority but saying there was a misunderstanding is frankly too easy, American History X is careless in how it tackles it's subject matter because it ends up validating the very same people it's trying to criticise, perhaps im overreacting but I view the dinner scene in American History X and it's misguided analysis on race relations as pivotal in forever putting me off this picture. I used to lurk on trash nazi websites like stormfront just so I would understand how they ticked, to my surprise whenever American History X was mentioned I was shocked by how favourable it was viewed on that website.but then it all makes sense. Fine and dandy I don't doubt that could happen, the issue is racism is a spectrum, not every racist is a Neo Nazi skinhead much less one in prison, so it's quite possible to say that most people wouldn't change their views this creates a precedent where the film despite being anti-racism ends up being an argument for racism. Derek is at his most articulate and intelligent when he's expressing his disdain for non-whites, yet the film doesn't counter his arguments it literally takes Derek being assaulted in prison by his skinhead compatriots to retract his views. My point is to question why the film never bothers to debunk this scene it's self ? Gene Siskel said of his critique of the film that the most powerful moments of the picture are it's racist moments and he's right. My point isn't to debunk what he says, I could write a book on the causes for the L.A 92 riots and how it's inadvertently linked to a criminal justice system that has consistently to failed the black/minority/ poor communities. The films most famous moment is the dinner scene, Derek's (Norton) mother invites Murray (Elliot Gould) a left leaning Jewish teacher to dinner they both debate L.A 92 riots where Derek shares his strong views where he justify Rodney King beatings that served as a catalyst. If anything i've started to view American History X more critically because of how carelessly it handles it's subject matter. I first saw this picture years ago as a teenager and considered it a powerful film,one of the best I had certainly seen at that point, however in recent years I've been forced to retract on my opinion on it,this is due to my widened film palette but also me being more knowledgable on race relations and how deeply entrenched in social economic institutions. The film is notable for Nortons powerhouse performance and it's unflinching look into race relations from the perspective of young white (presumingly) working class men. ![]() American History X is a 1998 crime film Starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong as two brothers who become indoctrinated in a Neo Nazi gang.
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