The Highly Appreciated Powerful Performance of American History X Essay

The Highly Appreciated Powerful Performance of American History X - Essay Example Maslin’s response to the violence depicted which he observes Derek commits â€Å"with horrifying gusto†. His take suggests the raw virility of Derek’s character is such that milks a certain kind of violent furiously and heats things up simply by viewing Derek in a sexual tryst right before the violence initiates. However, the focus of the film overflows with the ‘tacitly homoerotic violent energy’ of the skinhead bullies. Roger, on the other hand, focuses on the hostile tribalism being an epidemic angle of the movie. He denotes the rapidly spreading race hatred of the skinheads being largely due to the stringent culture of the local ethnic group. Cinematography, another key element of American History X, plays a vital role in its effective execution and hence formulates the basis of divergent critic responses. Mccarthy views Kaye’s registration of scenes from the movie as tremendously powerful, with a ‘certain fierce beauty’. The cinematography that is so artfully executed focuses on dramatic action as well as illustrates a ‘potent visceral effect’. According to Mccarthy it also rarely strays or overstates the case that the director is trying to present. Maslin, although believes that the storyline was oversimplified in the way it was reduced to a mere outline, seen in the way there is no detailed emphasis on the transformation that Derek undergoes in prison. That being said it is directed with an impressive combination of ‘handsome photo-realism’, as well as ‘visceral punch’, which effectively complements the fiery acting to make its impact felt.