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Review by GaryW
3½ stars out of 4
American Beauty begins by introducing us to what appears to be a rather
ordinary middle-class suburban American family. This family consists of
Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) and their
daughter Jane (Thora Birch). As the movie ads say, we should "look closer",
and when we do, we see some very unhappy people. Lester, who provides the
narrative throughout the film, has an unfulfilling job and marriage and he
and his daughter barely speak. The status quo is disrupted when, due to
downsizing at his job, Lester decides to make some real changes. These
changes all basically involve him acting like a stereotypical teenager--
even to the point of working at McDonald's, doing drugs, and lusting after
his daughter's beautiful, but brainless, friend Angela (Mena Suvari).
Because we are made to sympathize with Lester early on, we are clearly on
his side even though he is acting quite against acceptable social
norms. Many of these scenes are extremely funny, which lightens the mood
of the film considerably-- this film could have easily been a very, very,
dark movie.
Although it initially appears as if Lester is going to be the main
character in the film, a lot of screen time is spent developing the many
relationships in this complex drama: Lester and Carolyn, Lester and
Angela, Jane and Angela, Jane and Ricky (the strange boy who moves next
door), and Ricky and his marine father. It is quite interesting that the
character who is the most stable and happiest is a drug dealing, physically
abused, teenager, who is almost overwhelmed because there is so much beauty
in the world.
This film works in many ways. It is stinging social commentary, good
comedy, and interesting piece of drama. Also, the cinematography and
many intriguing dream sequences enhance the movie. The acting is also
exceptional. In particular, Kevin Spacey is getting a lot of good press
(most of it deserved) and will probably garner an Oscar nomination for
his effort. This film is definitely worth seeing.
Although I liked the film very much, and think it is easily one of the
best films of the year, I think there are several flaws that prevent it
from being a masterpiece (which many reviewers seem to think it is).
Although most of the characters and relationships are interesting, many
of them were not very developed and also quite cliche'd. I think the
film may have been better off ignoring one or two of the relationships
and spending more time on the others. I also found that Lester's behavior,
that was very funny for the majority of the film, eventually became a
little annoying. Also, the film is a little heavy handed in delivering
its message.
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out of 4
