American Masterpiece

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2000)

American Beauty exposes what a marriage (any relationship) can devolve into when it is based upon "things" and devoid of love--an arid wasteland to be tolerated instead of "lived." But it is also a tribute to the indomitable human spirit--a spirit that wants desperately to break through the shackles & bondage of a vapid relationship and live once again on the wings of passion & reckless abandon! The "weird" boy next door (played magnificently by Wes Bentley) symbolizes the wild "poet" that lies buried within us all--and the hauntingly beautiful scene captured by the poet (the rambling plastic bag )--is pure poetry in motion--an epiphanic moment for the character as well as the audience--making us all yearn for those days when our bodies--like savages--were alive enough to transmit & feel and run up and down without locks & strictures & rules & regulations & canned advertising slogans. Although I heartily agree that we must break through our platitudes, I am somewhat dismayed that the characters have to resort to drugs (alcohol, marijuana) in order to feel good. Is the director saying that we can't make the breakthrough by any other means??
All-in-all an excellent, thought-provoking movie that lingers long after the last credits are shown.