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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS IS NOT A MOVIE...IT IS REVOLUTION ! ! !,
By
This review is from: American Beauty [VHS] [2000] (VHS Tape)
This is not a movie.It is revolution.It is passion and it is discovery.Think about yourself and the 90 % of people how they live their lives on this planet.The society and the ones we love and the ones we hate shape our lives.And this movie barks at you and says : WAKE UP! BE YOURSELF!LISTEN TO YOUR HEART!REMEMBER THE THINGS YOU LOVE BUT YOU FORGET! Still there might be the ones who will not wake up or never will.But may be you are the one of little 10 %. And if you are you will share so may things with Lester...
39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully crafted masterpiece,
By A Customer
This review is from: American Beauty [DVD] [2000] (DVD)
If you are the type of person who appreciates every minute of your life, then you may just enjoy this film to its fullest potential. If you are the type of person who doesn't appreciate every minute of your life or the people around you, then you may just need to see this film, and learn to appreciate its full potential.American Beauty is the amazing directorial debut of theater man Sam Mendes. Penned by TV writer Alan Ball, the script may feel like a sitcomish satire of suburban hell at first, but beyond the laughs lurks a fascinating exploration of people trying to convince themselves they're not as miserable as they really are. It's also somehow a tragedy, as we're told right off that fatality will strike. Mendes makes great use of the possibilities of cinema. His film is always interesting and inventive visually, in an almost impressionistic way. Among other things, he makes very interesting use of American beauties, a variety of red roses that the wife cultivates and which Lester links to his fantasies. I also love the score by Thomas Newman, who should have one an Oscar, and the cast is as good as it gets. Annette Bening is convincing as always as an apparently successful career woman whose facade is shattering, and like Peter Gallagher's, her character is a bit caricatural but still effective. Thora Birch is perfect as her confused daughter, and so is Mena Suvari as her babe girlfriend. Suvari (who was one of the best things in American Pie) is highly desirable at first, then she starts talking and gets obnoxious, but eventually you get to really know her character and she's just another sad kid. This is a surprising performance and so is the one delivered by Wes Bentley, who's got solid screen presence and charisma as Ricky. He's able to really grab your attention and toy with your expectations, maybe disturb you a little but ultimately impress you with his focused mind. Last but not least is Kevin Spacey, who really deserved his Oscar for his astonishing portrayal of a man who spins his life around. It's just so exhilarating to watch him gain confidence and retrieve hope in life. Spacey has done great work in the past, but this might be the role that he'll be remembered for. He goes through many different states of mind and behaviors in the film, yet Spacey makes it feel all natural. This is one of those performances that sticks with you and inspire you. I'm not sure I'd have the courage to follow Lester's footsteps, but I wish I had. And then there's Spacey's "got nothing to lose" attitude and return to an adolescent mind state which is hilarious! It's always fun to watch someone being a smartass and making uptight types speechless for once. I'm personally grateful to any picture that gives me a new respect towards life. American Beauty is one of my all-time favorite pictures. Check it out for yourself and see how you feel. It may just help you appreciate certain aspects of your life much better.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Never underestimate the power of denial",
By
This review is from: American Beauty [DVD] [2000] (DVD)
American Beauty is an exploration of midlife crisis and the illusion of a 'normal' family. Lester Burnham [Spacey], his highly strung wife Carolyn [Bening] and resentful daughter Jane [Birch] each struggle to find a sense of purpose to their lives as the façade of their happy home deteriorates. The story follows Lester on a journey to turn his life around after meeting his daughter's provocative friend Angela [Suvari]. His lust for the teenage girl inspires a new lust for youth which he captures by discarding all of adult life's responsibilities in an attempt to re-live his youth. As he quits his respectable job, takes on a position flipping burgers in a fast food joint, and starts smoking pot he finally gets the object of his desire - but was it really what he was looking for? Kevin Spacey's performance as the world-weary and rebellious Burnham is magnificent. The honesty which Lester gives off while everything around him radiates artificiality is astonishingly powerful - aided in no small way by Sam Mendes' use of lighting and colour which is remarkable. Visually, every shot is a work of art, you can really feel the unease as the camera takes you on a journey through the Burnham household, furbished in blue-greys and white - not so much as a fork out of place - mixed with the stark contrast of red roses. In short, an absolutely breath-taking film, American Beauty is shocking yet humbling, sad yet tranquil and ultimately beautiful.
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