I think that Romper Stomper had more of a documentary aspect. That it set out to dispel notions that Australia was the 'land of opportunity' by showing the underbelly of society. That these things were actually happening in spite of what everyone believed. It sort of lost its way when it got around to actually introducing a plot i.e. the love triangle.

And because it was more documentary, it steered away from the moral preaching that American History X had. I doubt whether American film-makers would be able to get away with as much as Romper Stomper did without being branded as 'promoting racism'.

By the way, it's good to see another Aussie on this site.