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American Beauty (The Awards Edition) Customer Reviews (67 - 69 of 109 Reviews)

Everything positive you've heard is true
After it won the Academy Award, I had to see what all the hype for "American Beauty" was about. The hype wasn't misleading; now it is my favorite film of all time. The story centers around Lester Burnham. He's living the "american dream" - nice house, nice cars, everything. But he's bored senseless. He's alive but he hasn't been *living* for decades. After meeting Ricky Fitts, his new neighbor, he realizes this boy is everything he used to be and wishes he still could be; care-free, wise, in love with life and happy. Another person changes his life - his daughter's best friend, Angela Hayes. He falls instantly in love with her and would do anything to have her. And then he reaches his breaking point - "I feel like I've been in a coma for about 20 years and I'm just now waking up." He quits his job, tells his wife off, uses drugs, and wins over Angela. He drops the banality of everyday American life - wake up, work, sleep, repeat - and becomes free-spirited. This transformation is inspiring to say the least.

Everyone in this movie is perfectly cast. Kevin Spacey seems like he was born to play Lester, as Al Pacino seemed to be for Michael Corleone. Annette Benning plays the cutesy, money-obsessed wife perfectly. Mena Suvari is a good choice for an ordinary teen since she has starred in ordinary teen movies like American Pie. Wes Bentley does the introverted Ricky perfectly. Even Ricky's parents are played to the dot.

There's a lot of inspiring wisdow here that I hope even the naysayers recognize - "This isn't life, this is just stuff. And it's become more important to you than living."

So this is what perfection is!
I think 1999 was one of the best years for cinema in a very long time. In fact, I cannot remember a better year. Every year I write a "Top 10 Films of the Year" article. In 1999, I had to do fifteen and I still had to make cuts that I didn't want to. But "American Beauty" was put at the top of my list without a second thought.

This is a movie about modern American life, about desire, about unhappiness, about love, lust, sin, and redemption. This film gives me chills every single time I see it, no lie. It is funny, sad, uplifting, and all too true. The tagline "Look Closer" sums it up perfectly. You never know what's going on behind your neighbors picket fences.

The performances in this film are top notch. Kevin Spacey IS Lester Burnham. He makes me believe in his characters motivations and actions. Annette Benning is absolutely brilliant. Chris Cooper is utterly amazing and Wes Bentley is (to use an overdone term) a revelation. And I do not believe that Mena Suvari got nearly enough attention for her performance.

The script is dead on perfect. Brilliant themes, perfect pacing, funny, and enthralling. I cannot wait to see what Alan Ball turns out next. The cinematography is beautiful. Every shot is a work of art. The lighting, the colors, its perfect!

Sam Mendes masterfully helms this picture. He uses great restraint and controls what could so easily get out of hand like a true master.

See this movie. See this movie NOW! You won't regret it, I promise.

"BEAUTY" IS SOMETHING TO BEHOLD
"AMERICAN BEAUTY" EASILY EXCELS AS THE BEST FILM OF 1999! FEATURING KEVIN SPACEY IN AN OSCAR-WINNING ROLE AS LESTER BURNHAM, A DOWN ON HIS LUCK AVERAGE "JOE" SUFFERING THROUGH THE WOES OF A MIDLIFE CRISIS, WHEN IT SEEMS THE BOTTOM HAS DROPPED OUT OF HIS LIFE. LESTER REALIZES HE MUST NOT ONLY DEAL WITH AN UNBLISSFUL MARRIAGE TO HIS REAL ESTATE HUNGRY WIFE,PLAYED BY ANNETTE BENING (OSCAR NOMINATED), WHO SIMPLY AVOIDS HIS ATTENTION TO FOCUS MORE ON HER WANTS AND NEEDS, HE MUST ALSO DEAL WITH HIS CONTINUING INFATUATION TOWARDS HIS HIGH SCHOOL DAUGHTER'S (THORA BIRCH) CHEERLEADER FRIEND (MENA SUVARI), AND HIS RACIST MILITARY OFFICER NEIGHBOR (CHRIS COOPER). COMBINE THOSE ELEMENTS WITH STORYLINES INVOLVING BENING'S AFFAIR WITH PETER GALLAGHER AND THE MILITARY OFFICER'S SON'S AFFECTION FOR BIRCH, AND AN INTRICATE SCRIPT BY OSCAR-WINNER ALAN BALL,AND YOU HAVE A FUNNY, TRAGIC FILM THAT IS A CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE.

WHILE I HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM ON DVD, I DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED YOU SEE IT, FOR IT IS, INDEED, A MOVIE FOR ANY SERIOUS FILM BUFF'S VIDEO COLLECTION.

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