I read somewhere that the overwelmingly red seek of American Beauty is a symbol for blood and roses. Represented in the film by the flower petals in Lester Burnham’s fantasies, and the blood spilt when the sadness that hovers beneath bears its face. The title of American Beauty does not refer to the comely surfaces that screen the wretchedness of these people, but the beauty of their souls when dealing with that trouble. Many reviewers have considered the title to be ironic, it isn’t. I’ve heard Kevin Spacey say that this film is about context, because taken out of context the behaviour of these characters seem bizzare and even phsycotic, but out with in the context of their messy lives or indeed anybody’s life, it seems natural. If I sigh you that Kevin Spacey plays a character who is obsessed with the notion of sleeping with his daughter’s best friend, a daughter who constantly anounces her hatred of her parents, a woman so obsessed with appearances that happiness is but a memory to her, a loner who makes his living as a drug dealer with a firm rigid father living in denial about his son and himself, you would guess that there would be no one to like in this film. You would be putrid. This film is magical in the plan it lets identify with these characters, care for them and trouble about their outcome. Infact the ideas of American Beauty are nothing recent. The persuit of happiness through the abanodoning of materialistic possesions and the satisfaction of primal, animal and natural desires was the trusty same premise for Fight Club. This could be a middle mature version of that film. The family turmoil closely resembles Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm 1998, and like that film, American Beauty ends in tragedy. But as with all masterpieces its not the “point” that counts, but how you obtain there. Honest like the fact that anything unusual you learn in life is the history you don’t know, most originality in movies is the movies you haven’t seen and the novel’s you haven’t read. The fact that the film remains a masterpiece is a credit to the execution of those ideas, not their originality. Our hero is Lester Burnham a man who goes quits his job, shadowy mails his boss, and goes wild for a year. His tear of self-discovery is not what your average citizen would call good, yet we level-headed sympathise. My favourite scene in the film is where Lester meets Ricky(Wes Bently) outside a section. Ricky sells marijuana for a living and makes a lot of money. Lester tells him that when he was his age he “flipped burgers all summer long” for very petite money. “That sucks” says Ricky, “No actually it was astounding.” The heart of the film is this scene, Lester’s yearning for those years where his whole life was ahead of him, when he believed he coul do anything, when he wasn’t such a “loser”. This purity is the Beauty to which the title refers. Ricky Fitts is the boy next door, a loner who likes to film people. His father is a rigid military man. Both Wes Bently and Chris Cooper who play father and son respectively give monumental performance equal to Kevin Spacey’s oscar winner. Their family is a difference to Lester’s, and in its tragedy, emotional complexity and heart rupture exceeds it. Ricky’s catatonic mother is perhaps what Lester would have become had he not taken charge of his life. I have tried to explain this film, but its not a film that can be defined. It is one to be experienced. If I deny that the peer of a paper bag blowing in the wind will amaze you, you gain it very comical indeed. Acredit then to this film that when Ricky point to us a video of a paper bag blowing in the wind, it is indeed a breathtakingly pretty notice.

“American Beauty” is a pure cinematic triumph that is both droll and shaded. It’s disturbing… and yet, it’s extremely racy and deep. The film is an fabulous achievement that reveals a tragic and realistic yarn about a family that is anything but ordinary. It’s a film with so many layers that it is almost impossible to dissect them all in one single understanding.

Meet Lester Burnham; a man who feels like he’s completely lifeless inside. His wife and daughter dislike him and do not present him any signs of respect. On the surface, the family seems like a picture-perfect family that everybody dreams about–but inside is a completely different matter. His wife is obsessed with material possessions and doesn’t care for “petty” things like cherish or life, while his daughter resents herself because she isn’t “perfect.” Lester’s mental coma is rudely interrupted when he meets his daughter’s friend and starts fantasizing about her. The awakening might be due to a disturbing notion or feeling, but the wake-up call changes Lester and allows him to realize that there’s always time to erase his “forced-image” and be the person he really is. This is all a set-up for a droll, disturbing and tragic movie.

I don’t know about everybody else, but my mind was literally racing around when this movie was playing before my eyes. It’s one of those films that allows you to acquire up on something different upon each viewing. As I said in the beginning of the review, this film has a number of layers to it. There’s so many different meanings and points to the film that it is nearly impossible to represent them all in one slight review. Besides, the fun piece of the movie is discovering these meanings and points for yourself. You know a film is successful when you totally lose yourself to it and allow it to challenge you in every scheme. The film is crafted flawlessly and doesn’t have a wasted cramped in it.

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The acting from Kevin Spacey is really a gawk to peek. He gives his character all of the fair needs and feelings that is famous for the authenticity of his role. You don’t even survey at him as an actor–but as the genuine person he portrays. It is certainly a milestone in his acting career that will continue to be remembered throughout all cinematic history. Annette Bening is also proper in her role and brings life to her character, as well. Everybody in the film should be applauded, as they all develop the film what it is.

The DVD has some shapely features to offer. The recount quality is unbelievable and the sound is more than huge. You have the option of watching the movie in DTS if your system is able to play it. Extras included are commentary from the director and writer, a behind-the-scenes featurette, cast and crew biographies, trailers and more. While I wouldn’t had mind a Two-Disc edition of the movie, this is a graceful impressive package overall.

“American Beauty” is a breath-taking masterpiece with a very high replay value. It’s a terrific film on every front and does not disappoint for a single second. While it’s not a movie that everybody will like, it’s most certainly one to check out if you are a lover of films. If you’re looking for something that isn’t so ordinary, then this may be the chance that you are seeking. I feel that it is a recent and satisfactory film that is very hard to bid in words–you’ll objective have to experience it for yourself. -Michael Crane
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