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03/24/02
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American History X (1998)
83
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:72
Fresh:60
Rotten:12
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: A compelling and provocative story led by an excellent performance by Edward Norton.
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Edward Norton gives an impassioned performance as Derek Vinyard, a Southern Californian skinhead who must do time after committing a hateful murder. Once in jail, his mind opens and he sees the... [More]
Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Beverly D'Angelo
Director: Tony Kaye
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Reviews for American History X
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07/21/05
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01/01/00
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06/24/06
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09/10/02
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10/15/02
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04/09/05
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01/01/00
The film's most incongruous and embarrassing scene is a black-on-white basketball game: shot like a Nike ad, it trivialises the subject.
01/01/00
This journey to unpleasantville is too often manipulative and strains to maintain tension.
01/01/00
Top CriticClick to read the article
05/20/03
Though well-intentioned, turns out to be a simplistic and unconvincing look at a serious problem.
02/14/01
Top CriticThe problem is that Kaye, who's used to selling cars on TV, shoots Derek the Hater as lovingly as he would a new Volkswagen.
10/07/02
The ending is a misfire.
01/01/00
Top CriticWhen Hollywood attacks a volatile issue, it inevitably spoon-feeds you the main components of the issue several times over.
01/01/00
A confused, randomly compelling family melodrama.
01/01/00
Top CriticAny idiot can make us wince at the ugliness of beatings and shootings.
07/23/07
if you've forgotten how to stay calm while somebody probes you with a pointed object such as racism -- stay home or make sure you watch this film to the end.
01/01/00
Among the biggest deficiencies in the story is the lack of proper motivation for Derek's beliefs and actions.
01/01/00
The tone is so muddled that there's a whiff of exploitation to this movie that's unsettling at best.
01/01/00
Top CriticLatest News for American History X
August 25, 2009:
EW Lists 16 Classic "Dare You to Look" Scenes 
All the Nazi-scalpin' action in "Inglourious Basterds" has got the EW staff to thinking about some of the most hard-to-watch scenes in film -- and to that end, they've assembled... More...
October 07, 2007:
American History X Directors Cut Coming...Sort Of
In 1998, director Tony Kaye battled New Line Cinema over the release of American History X. Dissatisfied with the studio's meddling in his artistic vision, the theatrical cut... More...
August 11, 2005:
Tony Kaye Returns to Dish Out Some "Paranoia"
Controversial filmmaker Tony Kaye ("American History X") will direct his first movie in quite some time when he steps behind the cameras on "Paranoia." The... More...
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