American History X

Brutal, heart breaking, raw
Richard Lombardo

Super

The Vinyard family is what almost any family can turn into if only one of them lets his monster out.

I've long agreed with the Robert Louis Stevenson's concept proposed in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde that in each of us is a saint and a monster. Whether through Nature or Nurture, or with a mix of both, our actions and reactions are predisposed toward one or the other: saint or monster. Or maybe, by the Grace of God alone, we are able to control, lock up, or smother the monster; but it is in there., nonetheless.

American History X could very well be a story about the effect one of the demons who went to Venice Beach, California, had on a group of young people. Fueling the fire of murderous hate, especially in Derek Vinyard, through whose charismatic personality and forceful intellect, he could attract and manipulate others.

It's the old story of seeing wrong and inequity and working to change it, or becoming inflamed by it, and acting out our frustration in violence.

We don't meet the demon manipulating the non-white youth, but we know he is there; we see him through the equally horrendous behavior of minions.

So, I am saying that American History X is, like many great tales, based in moral dilemma. It is also based on great writing and excellent performance.

Edward Norton, one of the finest actors of his generation, gives us two wonderful performances here. Yes, two. The actor is recognizable in only one of the Derek Vinyards he plays. Larger than life, Derek, the Nazi - the monster, is Hulkish: large, powerful, demanding of respect and attention; swelled and satisfied by the fruit of his violence. The other Derek we see is not a saint, but a man. Not vanquished, but bloodied. He seems slighter, almost timid. He still has strength, but it is not always noticeable. This Derek is on a new mission and he's not comfortable in it yet. Norton's acting is extraordinary.

Derek's younger brother Danny, Edward Forlong, is a boy who looks up to his older brother as a father figure. these two characters bring to mind the favorite line of De Nero's father character in A Bronx Tale, I paraphrase: "there is nothing worse that wasted talent." Derek and Danny are both intellectually superior, smart, but too street wise and filled with hate. Forlong does a great job here. We are rooting for him, almost as much as his principle, who refuses to give up on the talented high school student

Beverly D'Angelo is absolutely stunning as Doris, Derek and Danny's mother. This mother of four, being consumed by an unnamed illness if the victim of this story. She is widowed while pregnant with her last child. Her oldest son, a promising high school student, turns bad and changes the fortunes of their family. Her declaration that she is imprisoned with her son, is moving and meaningful.

Stacy Keach has a powerful screen presence that he uses in this film Cameron Alexander (the demon) is almost a geek at times, but his evilself can rise up when necessary for his cause. Keach nails this dead on.

This could have been a HUGE film, but the writer was too preachy. instead of telling his story, which he did a great job with, he had to make a political statement out of it. This is a problem with too many writers and directors, they think we cannot learn a lesson from just the story alone; they dilute their story with their own conclusions, or worse, the politically correct view of the time, which may just be wrong. Regardless, the best lesson's learned are those we come to through our own intellectualization.

Nonetheless, American History X, is worth multiple viewings. I recommend the DVD highly.