Review of American History X (1998) by Roxanne D — 04 Dec 2017
The most significant scene in American History X is the one with the entire family at breakfast. The complete nuclear family structure is perfect, until the father exposes a kind of primal racism. It's all the more insidious because he introduces it as a concerned parent.
The effect is reverberating. Audiences are so wrapped up in Derek's reaction that we forget Danny is listening too. The camera does a chilling thing when it turns to face Danny. It shows us that he is also consuming and internalizing his father's racism.
As such, while their father's death triggered their complete transformation, it was during that breakfast that they were indoctrinated.
This review of American History X (1998) was written by Roxanne D on 04 December 2017.
American History X has generally received very positive reviews.
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