American Beauty

?American Beauty?, directed by first-timer Sam Mendes,
looks to be Oscar material both for best film and for best actor, as Kevin
Spacey dazzles us once again.
This is a movie of beauty and ugliness, love and hate, and the
subtle differences between life and living. ?American Beauty? is a comedy
with a darker twist that leads us through tragedy.
It is a tale of suburban life and a man named Lester Burnham (Kevin
Spacey), who finds that the little things in life are worth more than money and
material worth. Lester goes through a metamorphosis, as we see the effects it has
on his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) and his daughter Jane (Thora Birch).
I never doubted this film, but I had wondered whether a major company
like Dreamworks could pull off such a thoughtful film. Let me re-assure you, they
did a fine job. Spacey and Bening are superb as usual, delivering comical dialogue
that seems more disturbing at times than humorous, and portraying emotions that
seem inhuman.
?American Beauty? introduces Wes Brentley, who plays Jane?s boyfriend
Ricky. Keep an eye out for this young actor. His role seems dry and bizarre at first,
but as an audience we grow to understand his unique philosophy of life.
This film does deliver comedy, but it offers so much more to the audience.
As a viewer, I found myself still perplexed with statements and ideas that I absorbed
from this wonderful experience. I suppose I should mention this film is not for children,
but it is a valuable film for adults of all ages.
?American Beauty? takes the many stereotypes of suburbia and touches on each
of them in detail. Each character is important to this film and identifiable by their personal
struggle. The irony in this film plays a very strong role, developing and eventually defining
the individual characters.
I must mention the awe of the images themselves. With the use of Lester?s dream
sequences, and Ricky?s frequent point-of-view, ?American Beauty? is a definition within
itself. Beauty, this is what we are meant to understand.
At times, it is sad or even hard to bare what the characters go through, but the overall
effect is that life is here, live it and be happy. Sometimes it takes tragedy to find happiness.
I can?t begin to explain what makes this film so enjoyable and so meaningful.
?American Beauty? deals with things rarely seen outside of the independent art-house genre
of films, but does it with a style and grace that doesn?t leave a bad taste in the mouth.
I do strongly recommend this film to anyone in love or marriage, with children or
a career less than perfect. I also recommend this film to anyone who appreciates simple beauty
and life itself.
Although ?American Beauty? is not slapstick, bust-a-gut comedy, I guarantee you will
leave the theatre enlightened.