A perfect example of exceptional screenwriting

Rating: 10/10 (29 November 2001)

There are few films, and I have seen quite a number, that have made such an immediate impact on me as American Beauty. As soon as I had seen it I was certain it was something a bit special. Most of the widely acclaimed "classics" have the special combination of a very strong storyline complimented by fantastic & complex characters (i.e. The Godfather). Alternately, American Beauty's strength rests entirely on it's wonderful characters, as there is no specific story line to speak of - it is merely a snap shot into the life of an interesting (to say the least!) and apparently "regular" American family.
Ultimately, the movie's charm lies in the fact that no matter what the age and social status of the viewer, there are characters, or mannerisms of the characters, that the audience can identify with. For instance, Lester's contempt for the man he has become, for the life he has, that seems to have crept up on him without him even knowing or realising it. Or Janie's resentment for her parents - for their selfishness and apparent lack of genuine interest in anything she does. There must surely be countless middle aged men or angst ridden teenagers around the civilised world who could identify with such situations/feelings?
For me, the truly unique quality of this film, was that after watching it and becoming completely engrossed in the wonderful array of characters it introduces us to, I actually took a little look at myself, at my life and asked a few questions that I hadn't consciously considered before...
Movies that have such an impact are few and far between. Original and brilliant, I can think of few others that so genuinely deserve the 10/10 grade.