A messed up but interesting film

Rating: 8/10 (6 October 2007)

I first saw this on CineMax earlier this year. I originally wanted to see the film for Thomas Newman's score. While I was watching, I couldn't help but feel awkward throughout the whole film. Every character in the film had some secret they were hiding from the rest of the world. This idea intrigued me. The film stars Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham, a depressed, bored man going through a mid-life crisis brought on by his work-obsessed, perfectionist, crazy wife, Carolyn (played by Annette Bening) and his angry and insecure daughter, Jane (played by Thora Birch). Lester and Carolyn go to a basketball game to see Jane perform a cheer-leading routine. Afterward, they meet Jane's "best friend", Angela Hayes (played by American Pie's Mena Suvari). She is a seemingly confident girl who constantly brags about her apparent sexual appeal to guys. We find out later in the film that she's not as confident with herself as she appears to be. Lester develops an infatuation with Angela the moment he meets her. He decides to turn his life around now that he found something to live for. In the midst of all this, Carolyn begins an affair with real estate business rival, Buddy Kane, an annoying, egotistical man who, as fate would have it, turns out to be just what the doctor ordered for Carolyn and her stressed-out life. Jane develops an attraction towards the strange but rather lovable Ricky Fits, the son of an overly strict and controlling former marine colonel who claims to be homophobic, and his mentally weak and submissive wife. Ricky is the one to make the first move on Jane by filming her every time he sees her. Jane and Ricky find that although they come from completely different family backgrounds, they actually have quite a bit in common. Ricky is someone who finds beauty in almost everything he sees, especially Jane. He also tells things like they are. The film traces the life of Lester as he makes his drastic life-change and deals with the consequences of his actions later on. His new changes do affect the people around him. He begins to anger his daughter further and even intimidates her once or twice. He no longer will take his wife's belittling words and work-obsessed ways. He becomes more open to Angela near the end of the film. He is able to form a friendship with Ricky comfortably without worrying about how his family will react. He basically becomes more confident and free-willed. Apparently, so does his wife. She begins to do what she wants to do, but immediately loses that feeling when Lester finds out about her affair with Buddy Kane. Although the film is put into the comedy genre and does have some funny parts, it is also a hard-hitting drama. It has some very tense, disturbing, and beautiful moments. There is a dark undertone to the film, which is emphasized at the end. I like this movie because it's very realistic. It shows that within a seemingly perfect, normal neighborhood, home, and family, there are things that nobody wants or needs to know about. Dark secrets that could undo the "perfection" of everything. I also like it because it adds humor to an otherwise dark and sad story. It's a good blend that deserves every Oscar it got. If you're looking for a funny comedy with gross-out humor like "Superbad", you will be disappointed in that this film is not entirely a comedy and only has a few funny moments. If you're looking for a film that is funny but also has drama and is realistic, this is the film for you. Kevin is absolutely amazing in this movie. He deserved his Oscar for the role. Check out this film. I don't think you will be disappointed. 8/10 stars