Decline and Fall of the American Dream.....

Rating: 10/10 (5 June 2000)

"...I hate you, you hate me, we're a dysfunctional fa-mi-ly.." [my favorite parody of Barney the Dinosaur] accurately describes the angst that permeates within this film. Kevin Spacey, hands-down the Best Dramatic Actor of the 1990's in my humble opinion, portrays the character of Lester Burnham, in the same fashion that he did in THE REF (also starring Dennis Leary) and DEATH OF A SALESMAN (theatre). Spacey brings this middle-aged Rip Van Winkle out of his suburban coma, to re-experience/re-examine that part of him that was lost to the "coma". American Beauty is much more than that...many of us can understand, identify and even admire the distinct qualities in the man. As the narrator of his existence within the lives of his family, we see the conflicts and subemotions that have created this situation: Anger, Jealousy, Curiousity, Passion and finally, Fulfillment. But as we all play our parts in the great stage of life, this is an ensemble work....
Annette Benning, the Long-suffering breadwinner, whose betrayals cost her everything that she has fought to protect; Thora Birch, the self-tormented teenager, whose character-type is a standard in the industry, adds additional dimensions to it; Mena Suvali, the aptly named American Beauty...and Wes Bentley, brilliant persona within the minds eye....his presence is second only in importance to Kevin Spacey's....there is quite a magnetic quality to his charms, and forthright soul that is both believable and desirable.
Well scripted, superb homespun-tradition modern American settings and locations, excellent direction make American Beauty a MUST SEE. Capture the moment that defines this life for you, and it will live in your soul forever.....