American History X - Rotten Tomatoes:

Norton is by turns frightening and heartbreaking, angry and serene. I don't think I've ever seen a character in film with a more believably wide range.
-Full Review (by MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher)

Mick LaSalle - San Francisco Chronicle: Neo-Nazi With a Conscience Norton shines, but `History' disappoints: In the movie's most fascinating scene, Derek sits at a table and makes lucid, intelligent-sounding justifications for his political philosophy. Norton is perfect for the role. Even in the grip of passion, he acts as though he's a reasonable guy, leading from his head.
..David McKenna's script is great at presenting a descent into neo-Nazihood as a partly intellectual process.
..But Derek's way back is described solely in emotional terms. We had to watch him think his way in. We should see him think his way out.

:: rogerebert.com :: Reviews :: American History X: The film is always interesting and sometimes compelling, and it contains more actual provocative thought than any American film on race since ``Do the Right Thing.'' .. In prison, we learn, Derek underwent a slow transition from a white zealot to a loner--a brutal rape helped speed the process. With a swastika tattooed on his chest, he fits in at first with the white power faction, but is disillusioned to find that all the major groups in prison (black, Hispanics, white) have a working agreement; that's too much cooperation for him. this is complicated, huh. he is disillusioned that they parade hate but are willing to deal drugs with men of other races. he wants his racism pure. ideal. ~heidegger~