AMERICAN HISTORY X

"It begins with seashore scenes in black and white, accompanied by lyrical, haunting horns, occasionally interrupted by aggressive timpanni. The waves washing ashore are clearly symbolic for Tony Kaye, who not only directs this mesmerising film but also photographs it. Exquisitely. He closes the film with different seashore shots, equally memorable and equally filled with emotional touchstones. Between these scenes is a film of vigour, intensity and irresistible power, defying the predictable and blatantly editorial. This is an essay by Kaye on the futility and destructive power of racial hatred. But first and foremost, it is superb cinema, drawing us into a world peopled by our very neighbours. Their exactidue is almost tangible, through sublime performances that zing with energy and emotion. Kaye is a natural filmmaker, his images ever fresh (even the prison scenes, a much visited terrain for American film, give us images we haven’t seen before) and his dramatic sense razor sharp, constructing an experience woven together with all the tools at his disposal. His camera lingers close to the faces, hence close to the hearts and souls of these tragic people, showing us the complexity within. The Edwards Norton and Furlong exceed all expectations as suburban brothers with a dreadful legacy from their late father, adding great depth to an already profound, scalpel-like script. What a fabulous debut for Kaye: see it."
Andrew L. Urban

"A haunting trumpet solo showcased by percussive punctuation moans under images of a serene tide, gently rippling along a beach, gulls above. The plaintive musical sounds evolve into choral arrangements with angelic a cappella voices echoing an etherial quality. And so begins the tumultuous journey of American History X, a mesmerising film whose topics and themes sear scorchingly through the superficial. Tony Kaye's remarkable debut film that explores extremism, racism, hatred and the journey to salvation, is an artistic triumph, marrying contrasting images, textures and sounds to tell a story where anger is a necessary accessory for survival. Kaye's treatment and superb cinematography favouring tight and effective close ups, is affecting and powerful. His is a talent to watch. Images of water droplets from the shower are one moment bullets of doom, and confetti of hope the next. The script is concise and perceptive, the performances arresting. Norton and Furlong are both outstanding; Norton radiates rage, power, conviction and truth in a steely, stalwart performance, while Furlong is haunting as the impressionable young man who aspires to follow his idolised brother. American History X is powerful cinema with moody, effective use of black and white photography. We experience rage at its most violent, and witness the personal tragedy of a family whose life is out of control. There are some scenes that are frankly hard to take. But through the maze of ugliness and destruction come some very special moments – the unusual friendship between a white and a black man cemented as they fold underwear in prison is wondrous. Through the harshness, American History X has a poetic element that elevates it to an extraordinary work with something important to say."
Louise Keller