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American Beauty (The Awards Edition) Customer Reviews (52 - 54 of 109 Reviews)

Lester Burnham: Kevin Spacey
Carolyn Burnham: Annette Bening
Jane Burnham: Thora Birch
Ricky Fitts: Wes Bentley
Angela Hayes: Mena Suvari

Directed by Sam Mendes/ Written by Alan Ball/ 120 minutes (Rated R)

BY ANDREW KOCH
Beauty: The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality. Although, society has put this definite and limited meaning into beauty, realistically beauty is indefinable. The simple fact that something is beautiful to one person yet ugly and ordinary to another makes it such an abstract concept. Yet, what is finite about is beauty is the idea that society tends to make a mold of beauty. This cast that is produced is the cause of much "shaping" towards an ideological goal and is the cause of much internal and external conflict between people, institutions and entities of all sorts.
In, "American Beauty" the theme of beauty is deeply rooted throughout the movie. The scenes switch frequently from character to character, through which we are introduced to and dig deep within each character's conflict in beauty. Angela, who represents superficial and exterior beauty, directly strives for her society's ideological
concept of beauty. To her, beauty is what everyone else tells her and what she sees on the cover of Maxim Magazine. Conversely, Jane Burnham represents the inner beauty within the characters of the movie. Genuine, open, loving, independent and not ready to follow society's guidelines on beauty. She does and wears what she feels comfortable in. Her personality and behavior represent this inner and innocent beauty not found often in "American Beauty". To Carolyn Burnham, beauty lies in the way she seems to all others whom view her (society or her friends and family). The illusion of "happiness, a successful job and being a perfect wife/ mother type" makes her feel comfortable that people view her as a beautiful person. As society shapes, views and impresses upon the character's beauty and concept of beauty, there exists one character independent of this obligation. He watches and judges beauty, of the women in particular, because it brings him a sense of inner peace. Ricky is independent of the judgmental societal panoptican (all seeing and always watching). He becomes a significant silent and panoptical entity himself in the movie. Whenever shown in the movie, he has his camera and is taping/ observing the beauty of women to things like the wind-carrying bag through the air.
The movie "American Beauty" is more than just another "black comedy" or typical Hollywood film. It moves past the portrayal of beauty through images, actions and looks. It explores and critiques the modern stereotype of what beauty is in women of today. It also explores the interactions and conflicts that arise within the clashing of different ideas of beauty between characters. More importantly, it forces the viewers to reflect upon the idea of inner/ physical beauty and how others view it, themselves and society as a whole.

True Beauty
I heard the buzz behind this film before I actually got a chance to watch it. I went in a bit skeptical but ended up in complete awe. Finally, a big Oscar winner that deserved it!

Sure, the subject matter can be dark and disturbing. So if a middle-aged father obsessing over his teenage daughter's friend really bothers you to the point where you can't see the truth behind the film, don't waste your time. If you're homophobic, don't bother. If you want to see one of the best films ever made, this is a must.

The cinematography truly astounds. As does the directing, acting, and screenplay. This is a deep, unnerving, and truthful look into American suburbia whether we want to admit it or not.

The point of this film is not to shock. In fact, the most shocking thing about it is how natural and real it feels. On top of that, it actually does make beauty apparent in places not necessarily obvious. A floating plastic bag, a dead bird, a red door. The simple things really shine through, sometimes even more so than the extraordinary events.

One of the best aspects lies in its inability to be categorized. Is it a drama, a comedy? It's neither. As one of the film's trailers says, If you think a comedy can't move you... if you think a drama can't be funny... look closer.

Quite simply, the best film in at least a decade.

Extremely entertaining...and extremely cliche'
I've seen this movie 3 times, and each viewing has been quite enjoyable. American Beauty attacks the mediocrities of suburban America and we the viewers feel we're watching something funky, a little offbeat--we weren't though. The whole concept of the film is wonderful, finally dealing with typicalities of Anytown, USA. But how interesting are the characters? Ricky Fitz is mildly interesting, but Sam Mendes feels he must only portray a unique character through an odd-ball, loner personality. CLICHE #1

Kevin Spacey was a riot, but in turn...such an average, kind of boring guy. He fesses to liking Pink Floyd,(wow!) buys remote control cars and a big fancy car, likes to smoke pot, watches James Bond and becomes so enamored in his personal appearance like every other American male. His re-birth is not spiritual, but materialistic. His idea of being a NEW man is buying a Thunderbird. This guy isn't interesting, this is my next door neighbor, my local mechanic etc... CLICHE#2

The scene at the dinner table is living proof of Mendes's shallowism. Lawrence Welk? Lawrence Welk? Is that the best you could come up with? He's too easy to pick on, how bout in the background maybe Luther Vandross, but no..People like to pick on typically made-fun of things. It's the same scenario as making an action film with car chases: it's expected. CLICHE #3

The most nauseating scene in the film is when Ricky and the girl come home and Ricky's mother is sitting at the table in a daze. Her life is so blase' and empty that she sits at the table in la-la land. WRONG! Real women in depression don't do that, they sit around watching t.v. or something. Are our american audiences so narrow minded that we must have the visual to support the idea? CLICHE #...i've lost count.

Finally, I want to say this movie is just one big stereotype. It's as if Mendes followed some guide or rule book on how to make a movie. What if the family portrayed was black? or hispanic? Why not have the mother fat and unnatractive? No, Hollywood insists on picture pleasing actors. Watch Independent films if you can, they closely depict life as much as possible. Mendes's message is that suburban America is not always pretty on the outside. I think that point was made clearly 14 years ago in Lynch's 'Blue Velvet'. Dennis Hopper and Dean Stockwell, THOSE are characters that envoke enthusiasm in me.

The film was enjoyable, but upon further analysis...just another product of a Hollywood point of view. It won best picture rightfully but that doesn't mean much. After all, Rocky won best picture...didn't it? American Beauty is worth your time. But if you feel like your watching something funky and off-beat, you aren't. Just another result of the Tinsel Town philosophy.

Nice soundtrack though.