American History X (1998)

Directed by Tony Kaye. Starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Avery Brooks, Beverly D’Angelo, Ethan Suplee, Stacy Keach, Guy Torry, Jennifer Lien, Elliott Gould, Fairuza Balk, William Russ, Joseph Cortese. [R]

Fiery, provocative drama recounting how young, intelligent skinhead Norton was indoctrinated to hate, but after being rehabilitated during a prison stint, he becomes committed to steering his younger brother (Furlong) away from the white supremacy lifestyle. Prefers shock tactic to analytical nuance, with a cleanly structured plot outline providing a few too many easy answers (delivered through a few too many storytelling shortcuts), but its visceral impact is substantial. In a mesmerizing performance that (frighteningly) feels all-too-authentic, Norton carries the film on his muscled shoulders. Though intended to leave viewers shaken and unsettled, the conclusion feels too much like a screenwriting contrivance and winds up a melodramatic misfire (no pun intended). Disowned by its director (who tried—and failed—to have his name removed) because of the studio’s insistence on final cut, this being a rare case where the director wanted the movie to be significantly shorter than what ended up being released. Vivid musical score by Anne Dudley.

76/100