I first became acquainted with Louis Theroux and his wonderful documentaries with his BBC show on the Phelps family ("The Most Hated Family in America"). I was so impressed with his interview style, that I immediately sought out more of his work. What I'd particularly liked was how he was so gentle in his technique--encouraging the people to talk as well as invite him into their lives.
As for the Phelps family, they and their sick ways were hard to take, but the undercurrent of the show was dramatically different from "Louis and the Nazis". That's because although the Phelps family was repugnant, they didn't seem especially dangerous. However, with this Nazi film, I felt very tense at times and kept expecting the Nazis to beat up Louis and his film crew! This time, there was an evil message AND an omnipresent threat to do bodily harm.
Like the Phelps film, however, there was a strong sense of disbelief that such despicable people actually SEEMED rather nice when they talked to Louis because of his disarming style--at least they seemed nice to a point. He seemed to get more information with his style than a more confrontational and abrasive interviewer.
Some standout scenes from the film included:
--The family who insisted to know whether or not Louis was Jewish. Wow was this tense.
--The twin young girls who sang white supremacist songs, played racist video games AND whose mother was engaged to a teacher of some sort. They were cagey about exactly what his job was and where he worked. Apparently they were afraid someone would take this the wrong/right way.
--Louis repeatedly asking the Nazis he met if he could stay the night. Not surprisingly, they didn't invite him for a sleepover.
--When he takes a road trip, of places, to Mexico with two supremacists. The guys are almost likable at times, unless of course you THINK about what they are. And as for the trip, it was rather surreal and pointless...which made it rather interesting in an odd way.
Overall, I liked it very much, though some might be put off by the rather aimless style of the film (at times) and some might object to Louis NOT screaming or hitting the Nazis. Plus, parents be advised, not only are these very objectionable people, but the language is pretty appalling. It's certainly NOT a film for little kids, though I strongly think that teens could learn a lot from it--after all, you can't protect them forever AND they need to know people like this do exist.