American History X1998
American History X (1998)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: American History X doesn't contend with its subject matter as fully as it could, but Edward Norton's performance gives this hard-hitting drama crucial weight.
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Derek Vinyard
as Sweeney
as Danny Vinyard
as Stacey
as Cameron
as Doris Vinyard
as Davina
as Seth
as Murray
as Rasmussen
as Dennis
as Lamont
as Little Henry
as Lawrence
as Mitch McCormick
as McMahon
as Chris
as Jason
as Lizzy
as Jerome
as Daryl Dawson
as Huge Aryan
as Curtis
as Cop No. 2
as Kammi
as Dr. Aguilar
as Ally
as Cassandra
as Reporter
as Desk Sergeant
as Buddy No. 1
as Randy
as Guard
as Young Ally
as Lawrence's Partner
as Student
as Random Skinhead
as Stocky Buddy
as Basketball Player
News & Interviews for American History X
Critic Reviews for American History X
All Critics (87) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (72) | Rotten (15) | DVD (5)
Norton is an amazing actor, a hot-dog whose delight in transformation is infectious.
Two things hold the interest: Norton's astounding performance, and a feeling for the male reality of reactionary working class environments.
The problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.
What partly redeems American History X from its most preachy excesses -- and makes it worth seeing -- is a brilliant, career-high performance by actor Edward Norton.
A work of impressive scale and craft and not a movie that's easy to dismiss in the end.
Though well-intentioned, turns out to be a simplistic and unconvincing look at a serious problem.
Audience Reviews for American History X
I haven't wanted to watch this as I was afraid of more Hollywood racist propaganda. Boy was I surprised when the propaganda turned out to be of the liberal variety instead. Regardless of the movie-of-the-week underpinnings, the acting is first rate, Norton and Furlong turning in superlative work.
Super Reviewer
One of the most powerful films I've ever seen, with an incredible lead performance from Edward Norton. The overall message of the movie is extremely important - that even the most heinous and hateful of people can change, as seen by the slow-burn approach of Norton's friendship with a black man in prison. The ending always gets me, it's a heart-wrenching finale that is hard to watch but extremely appropriate. This is a film everyone should see.
Super Reviewer
Powerful and gripping from beginning to end. American History X provides a great performance from Edward Norton and a graphic tale involving the influences of society in the household and relationships. Very explicit, destructive and compelling, the film makes a strong mark that's as challenging as its direction. 4.5/5
Super Reviewer
American History X Quotes
| Danny Vinyard: | Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it. |
| Davina Vinyard: | When was the last time you were actually able to see your feet? |
| Danny Vinyard: | So I guess this is where I tell you what I learned - my conclusion, right? Well, my conclusion is: Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it. Derek says it's always good to end a paper with a quote. He says someone else has already said it best. So if you can't top it, steal from them and go out strong. So I picked a guy I thought you'd like. 'We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.' |
| Danny Vinyard: | I'm sorry, Derek. I'm sorry that happened to you. |
| Derek Vinyard: | I'm not. I'm lucky. I feel lucky because it's wrong, Danny. It's wrong and it was eating me up, it was going to kill me. And I kept asking myself all the time, how did I buy into this shit? It was because I was pissed off, and nothing I ever did ever took that feeling away. I killed two guys, Danny, I killed them. And it didn't make me feel any different. It just got me more lost and I'm tired of being pissed off, Danny. I'm just tired of it. |