lethargic and uninspiring

Rating: 6/10 (24 May 2000)

First off, let me say that I thought Kevin Spacey's performance was outstanding. He has the talent to take an otherwise unambitious script and make it gracefully well directed.
The movie as a whole, though, is generally uninspiring despite its forced over message to the contrary. Yes, the simple pleasures of life are what bring us peace, joy, and contentment, but come on people--there's more to it than a paper bag blowing in the wind or buying your dream car. While the movie tries to convey to the audience the need of living life to its fullest, it seems to reject the most important need to all of us--each other. From the start of the film we see the family members diving head first into the depths of despair because of their hatred for one another. They then attempt to reconcile their depression and hopelessness by means that are merely self-serving. In the end, that could never lead to true happiness.
The film is not a fair portrayal of typical American suburbia, and perhaps that was not its intent. But then, what was it?
6/10