Obviously not for everybody.

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 2000)

--Includes spelling mistakes
I finaly saw AMERICAN BEAUTY and, well, what can I say it DOES live up to the hype. I can actually understand those who didn't like this movie for once. You simply don't get it. Some say that it's perverted. Wow, you've gotta be a mega-moralist to say something like that. Spacey's fight to live as a 20 year old, and his psychic 40's crisis includes falling in love with 17 year olds. And of course, those who never will understand the beauty of black comedy. It's twisted, and it's supposed to be. This was what the Academy knew when the Oscars were delivered. The thing is, everybody in this movie is, more or less, out of their minds. Spacey (maybe the most healthiest in a way) loose his mind, tired of his o so boring life, numbed off by everything, he let himself loose and smoke weed, works out, works at "Mr. Smileys" etc etc... Benning, the wife is a mental case. She's totally confused, cries when a house isn't sold (she's a stockbrocker) and "stuff is more important than living". She's a mental case for sure. Almost as confused as... the daughter! The typical teenager. Naive, naive, naive, unsure and confused. But she isn't as confused as her friend. A cheerleader, blonde, superbabe, sexbomb and the person that Spacey falls for. But underneath the classy surface is an unsure, confused, depressed and frightened little girl who's haunted by memories, I'd guess.

OK. So may the real psychos appear. The house next door. Thank you. First off all: The son. You just can't help but sympathize. He has got a totaly different side of the world, he films everything (dead birds=beauty, you'll understand) even Spacey's unsure daughter, his so called fascination, and his world is a big mix, not to mention he's selling pot, weed, you-name-it. But his father is a marine officer. A very tough guy, obviously too tough. Technicly the most psychic is the marine's wife. A mental case. She's litterary sick. Is that all? Yes, back to the movie:
AMERICAN BEAUTY is simply a modern masterpiece. I was laughing hard at some points, fascinated at others, moved at some points and frightened, very frightened at others. It is simply everything in one and black humor is added. Of course these moralists won't understand how drugs can be funny. Not either how Spacey's fantasies can be entertaining. Well I can. It's age coming in to play, and everybody in his age (or more) should recognize themself. The movie is at the beginning a big mish mash of stories, but they all smoothly are put together at the end, and that ladies and gentlemen is beauty. The directing is not poor. Did anyone notice his teen-fantasies. They were incredible! All the roses gave a numb feeling and it was simply an experience like no other. The acting is 100 % flawless, Kevin Spacey has always been a favorite of mine and this is no exception. Benning is not just as perfect, but great, great, great. I was always thinking that the film-guy was played by Tobie Maguire. All the time! I was convinced. However he looks the same. The plot and screenplay was a 10-pointer. I couldn't imagine how the screenwriters could come up with Wes Bentley's dialogue. From the first minute to the last I was on my seat.
Sure, to appriciate it 100% you've got to have no limits in watching movies, but I can tell you. Even if you guys don't like this movie, it IS NOT overrated, it WASN'T poorly directed and it ABSOLUTLY IS NOT child pornography or phedofilism! It is simply the movie of the year! 10/10