Thursday, September 2, 2010

Watch The Film American History X

By Milagros Witt

By taking a look at this article, you will be able to get a good inside look at the film "American History X." There are so many different things to understand and appreciate about this film, and most of these will be covered in the upcoming paragraphs. Through a plot synopsis and reflection on the nature of the film, you should be able to understand the motion picture a little better.

You might be surprised to learn that many people seem to think that this movie was based on real events. The truth is, that this is not the case. While there might be a little bit of truth in the telling of any good work of fiction, this is not the retelling of any one series of events. Perhaps the film is thought to be based on real life because it has a no holds barred approach to laying this film out in front of you. They don't pull punches.

You are given the best look into the life of Derek Vinyard through the piece, though it is often through the narration of his younger brother Danny. Danny is still in high school and has been getting into some trouble from the teachers and staff at the school. His history teacher asks him to write a paper on his older brother, Derek and that it was due the following day.

Shortly there later, you learn about Derek's position in the community. He represents a very strong gang of white supremacists, and he is their fearless leader. This really takes root very early in Derek's life, when he sees his father attempting to put out a fire to save lives, and he is gunned down by a black drug dealer right in front of Derek. A man takes Derek under his wing, and guides him in the knowledge and path of white supremacy. So Derek formed his gang, and they were all too eager to be under his leadership.

You also learn that right now Derek is in prison, serving a sentence for a rather violent crime on a couple of black kids that were trying to break into Derek's car. He, pistol drawn, came out of the house and shot two of the three culprits. He killed one with the shots. The other is the victim of likely the most violent act ever portrayed on film, where he forced the other man to place his teeth on the curb and he stomps on the back of the man's head.

However, Derek is required to face his beliefs when he heads off to prison. He learns very quickly that there is no place for his beliefs, and ironically befriends a black man when they are forced to share laundry duty together. When his old history teacher visits and tells him that Danny is headed down the same path, Derek vows to change his ways for good when he gets out and move himself and his brother far away from the mess that he has made.

When he is released, he goes to find his girlfriend to ask her to move away with Danny and himself. He also confronts Cameron, the old white supremacist who encouraged Derek as a young boy. He tells them that he is through, and leaves with his brother after some trouble erupts outside. Danny finishes his paper, with the reflection that hate is baggage and it doesn't pay to be pissed off all the time.

The story ends with Danny being shot to death by a black kid in the bathroom at school. Powerful acting from Edward Norton (Derek Vinyard) and Edward Furlong (Danny Vinyard) bring this story to the screen and give it the perfect acting that such an impressive movie requires. American History X might be hard to watch at times, but it is a grand reflection on how people could be so confident in what they believe to be right.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment