The ending was appropriate ...

Rating: 8/10 (22 August 2001)

I agree with a number of other reviewers that the ideas in American Beauty weren't entirely original. However this was outweighed by the presentation of the film which put the message across beautifully. It certainly made me think - right from the point where the voiceover, with Lester slumped in the car on the way to work, says "I don't remember ever feeling so sedated"

MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD
A number of people have said there was no need for Lester to be shot by the guy next door. My theory is that what the film was saying was that we need to make the most of what we've got now - we never know what's round the corner and it could be very unexpected (as it was for Lester). Just a thought.