By far, the best film of 1999.

Rating: Null/10 (28 March 2000)

Without a doubt, this movie is a masterpiece and gives the audience a blisteringly honest look into the life of two ordinary families in 1999.
The first family is the Burnhams. Kevin Spacey (Oscar winner for his touching performance) is Lester, a sexually frustrated man who is looked upon as an idiot by his wife, Carolyn (Oscar nominee Annette Bening) and daughter, Jane (Thora Birch). He's just simply misunderstood. The spark has long been out of the marriage and they just tolerate one another.
The second family are the Fitts. Chris Cooper is the father, Frank, a military colonel, who abuses his son Ricky (Wes Bentley) and makes him take a urine test every six months to ensure that he's not on drugs. Allison Janney is the mother, Barbara, who seems to be emotionally neglected and is often seen as very sullen and distracted.
These two families intertwine when Ricky and Jane begin dating which leads to a shocking climax.
There's also a subplot involving Lester, who develops a crush on Angela (Mena Suvari), Jane's friend. The infatuation isn't disgusting, just showing a man who has finally met his dream girl.
All in all, this is a very honest and engaging film that received five Oscars, including Best Picture.