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American Beauty [DVD] [2000]starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari directed by: Sam Mendes
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Editorial Review: Amazon.co.uk Review: From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street, American Beauty moves with a mesmerising confidence and acuity epitomised by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine of the story, and his very first lines hook us with their teasing fatalism--like Sunset Boulevard's Joe Gillis, Burnham tells us his story from beyond the grave. It's an audacious start for a film that justifies that audacity. Weaving social satire, domestic tragedy and whodunit into a single package, Alan Ball's first theatrical script dares to blur generic lines and keep us off balance, winking seamlessly from dark, scabrous comedy to deeply moving drama. The Burnham family joins the cinematic short-list of great dysfunctional American families, as Lester is pitted against his manic, materialistic realtor wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening, making the most of a mostly unsympathetic role) and his sullen, contemptuous teenaged daughter, Jane (Thora Birch, utterly convincing in her edgy balance of self-absorption and wistful longing). Into their lives come two catalytic outsiders. A young cheerleader (Mena Suvari) jolts Lester into a sexual epiphany that blooms into a second adolescence. And an eerily calm young neighbour (Wes Bentley) transforms both Lester and Jane with his canny influence. Credit another big-screen newcomer, English theatrical director Sam Mendes, with expertly juggling these potentially disjunctive elements into a superb ensemble piece that achieves a stylised pace without lapsing into transparent self-indulgence. Mendes has shrewdly insured his success with a solid crew of stage veterans, yet he has also made an inspired discovery in Bentley, whose Ricky Fitts becomes a fulcrum for both plot and theme. Cinematographer Conrad Hall's sumptuous visual design further elevates the film, infusing the beige interiors of the Burnhams' lives with vivid bursts of deep crimson, the colour of roses--and of blood. --Sam Sutherland Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Midlife CrisisBrilliant movie - one can just relate to kevin Spacey in so many ways! Brilliant Brilliant film! Rating: - BeautifulI first came across this film during my photography degree when I was studying the idea of voyeurism. I cannot watch this film enough; the acting is superb, teamed with a wonderful soundtrack and, unlike some of the other comments, I actually liked the plot. A really beautiful film that I would recommend to all Rating: - American Beauty - You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... You will somedayI have just watched American Beauty again for about the 200th time and the effect is no different from the first. It is the only film that I have gone to see twice in the cinema on two consecutive nights and Lester Burnham is the only character that makes total sense to me. The reason is because in words of Roger Waters we all live lives of "quiet desperation" and Lester's rebellion against this offer hope. Spacey can never top his acting performance and I suspect his subsequent work in the Old Vic ... Read More Rating: - Amazing!To me Kevin Spacey's best role and a landmark film for Sam Mendes.It's absolutely without a doubt one of the best movies I have seen.It's about a man suffering a mid life crisis in his suburban community.While he takes up a drug habit it affects the lives of those around him. American beauty can be as extremely sad as it can be totally laugh out loud hilarious.Don't miss it at any cost. Rating: - What a wonderful, moving film..Every time I see this film, I love it a little bit more. Kevin Spacey gives his best performance as a man hopelessly dealing with his mundane middle aged life. This story examines ordinary people with a great storyline that speaks to its audience. I recommend this film to anyone, I think anyone can enjoy it/identify with it. You will not regret buying this film. Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display
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