American History X
1998
Director: Tony Kaye
Writer: David McKenna
119 Minutes
The curb scene. The scrapping of teeth on cement. A kick to the back of the head. The wide-eyed reveal of a character so hateful and unremorseful to his actions.
This is the scene most people remember from American History X. It’s a story of racism, white supremacy, and regret.
It’s a story of change.
Told in a stylistic manner, a balance between past and present, Derek (Edward Norton) reunites with his family after a short stint in prison to find his brother, Danny (Edward Furlong), following his path of foolishness.
Danny’s homework assignment is to write a paper about his Derek's release from prison for his new class American History X. In the paper, he comes to the conclusion that it wasn’t his father’s death that sparked hatred in his brother, but his father himself.
But change occurs for both bothers.
In the scene above, Derek told his story to Danny – a story of prison, hypocrisy, rape, and friendship – and Danny finally gets it. Derek showers off the night. When Derek exits and looks in the mirror, he stares at the swastika on his chest. He stares at his past. He stares at his mistakes.
In a moment, he covers it up with his hand. He regrets ever believing in such nonsense. He regrets the choices he made. He regrets a kick to the back of the head.
The opening and closing images of the ocean – one black & white and one color – says it all. The ocean has no memory (Shawshank Redemption).
In the end, this film is as controversial as they come. It’s theme is something no one cares to talk about at parties, but is on the forefront of many ideals people continue to believe.
Racism and regret.
On March 4th, 1961 Abraham Lincoln said this in his first inaugural address, which happens to be the closing voice-over to this fantastic film:
“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.”
And as of yet, not much as changed since then in the face of racism and regret.
Not much at all.
