When it comes to racial dramas there are usually two types: mainstream ("Higher Learning") or hard core ("Romper Stomper"). AHX is right in the middle and uses the best of both worlds to result in a absolutely superb drama which doesn't soft-pedal the truth, but is not so upfront as to be a turn-off to most. It includes realistic characters, thought-provoking social commentary with a bite, moments of brief shocking violence, and the oldest and one of the most effective of central themes - redemption.

The acting is superb all around, Edward Norton is brilliant as usual giving us a character whom we start off absolutely despising but soon end up empathising with and liking by the end. Furlong is a surprise with his sensitive & mature performance, though the character could've had just a little bit more to it. The supporting cast are all pretty effective, the standouts being Jennifer Lien as Derek's liberal-minded sister and Guy Torry as his black friend in jail.

Tony Kaye's directing is great, from the subtleness of using all sorts of unusual camera angles to the more blatant ideas like including all flashbacks in black & white. The story never gets confusing, yet is able to flash between different times and schools of thought on a whim.

Problems? Nothing really. Some might find the pace a bit slow, some would find those brief violent moments to be too strong or too weak, and others would simply refuse to even discuss the issues it raises because they themselves are insecure over their own feelings on racism. Urban racial dramas are a genre I usually find boring (eg. "Boyz in the Hood"), but this is a film to definitely sit up and take notice of. Its well-made, entertaining, involving and will leave you thinking.