America looks in the mirror

Rating: 8/10 (4 April 2000)

I saw this film last night and I'm still feeling the atmosphere tonight. Not many films can sustain that much thought.
I think the reason this film has had a rave reception in the US is because it holds up a mirror to America's concept of itself and says "This is what you think you are, but here is what is really happening".
The whole rose (a major image throughout the film) is displayed at the start, perfect and beautiful, and then one by one the petals are stripped away and allowed to fall. We watch the petals falling and see where they land, until finally nothing is left but the stalk, with thorns.
Performances are startling. Kevin Spacey is at his warmest and most inviting. This man is a warm bath with Radox after a long cold journey. Annette Bening is allowed free rein for all those glimpses of her force we have been tantalised by in other roles.
We came home talking about many possible "what happens next" scenarios. More like this please.