An exquisitely beautiful movie

Rating: 10/10 (12 July 2000)

Before I saw this movie, I couldn't really classify any particular movie as my own personal favorite. No one movie ever struck a chord in me, allowing me to relate to it and marvel at it at the same time. American Beauty did both those things. I know the characters--they are my neighbors, my friends, my relatives. They are normal people in unusual circumstances. And they brought tears to my eyes.
I cannot end this review without mentioning Kevin Spacey, who basically makes the movie, all by himself. I cannot say enough fantastic things about his performance. Suffice it to say that though I believed at first that Denzel Washington should win the Oscar after being cheated at Malcolm X, after seeing this movie, I changed my mind. Kevin Spacey's Academy Award was one of the most-deserved that I have seen in years.