A beautiful, thought-provoking film

Rating: Null/10 (25 September 1999)

I am Lester Burnham. Well, I'm 42 and I've been married for 15 years. I don't think one has to see themselves in this film to appreciate it, but how can I know?
One comment I'd like to make as a reader of books about writing--American Beauty is a model for how to take derivative concepts, or specific textbook instructions, and make a unique mix that is art for the ages. The film owes much to "Sex, Lies and Videotape"; some to "Ordinary People" and "The Ice Storm." Others have pointed out that the "from beyond the grave" narration is not original. Every book on dramatic writing quotes Tolstoy: "If there is a gun hanging on the wall in Act One, it had better be fired by the end of Act Two." And yet this particular blending of these ideas is new. If you've ever tried to create a story or a song and you became frustrated that you were just borrowing ideas, perhaps you'll understand why American Beauty is such a role model for me.
It's hard not to become more introspective and more honest with yourself after seeing this movie and I think that makes it great.