American History X
Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African-American men. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.
Audience Sentiment
Brothers reconcile and reflect
The truck theft incident
The film drops significantly during the basketball and truck theft sequences where the reviewer felt the skinheads were portrayed sympathetically, then recovers strongly during Derek's prison transformation and family reconciliation
The single available review reveals a deeply conflicted response to the film's execution of its anti-racist message. While praising the dramatic elements and Derek's redemption arc, the reviewer harshly criticizes how key scenes inadvertently make the neo-Nazis appear sympathetic, undermining the film's intended message.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 50
Edward Norton
Derek
Edward Furlong
Danny
Beverly D'Angelo
Doris
Jennifer Lien
Davina
Ethan Suplee
Seth
Fairuza Balk
Stacey
Avery Brooks
Sweeney
Elliott Gould
Murray
Stacy Keach
Cameron
William Russ
Dennis
Guy Torry
Lamont
Joe Cortese
Rasmussen
Jason Bose Smith
Little Henry
Antonio David Lyons
Lawrence
Alex Sol
Mitch McCormick
Keram Malicki-Sánchez
Chris
Giuseppe Andrews
Jason
Michelle Christine White
Lizzy
Jonathan Fowler Jr.
Jerome
Christopher Masterson
Daryl Dawson
Crew
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