This film is marvelous

Rating: 9/10 (27 October 2008)

American Beauty is, in my opinion, one of the five best films I've ever seen. The plot seems so ordinary: a man stuck in a lifeless marriage experiences a midlife crisis and changes his lifestyle. What makes it so extraordinary then? First off, it's perfectly written. The screenplay finds an excellent balance between comedy and drama, and it's actually kind of creepy at some points (Kevin Spacey's character's obsession with Mena Suvari's goes pretty far). Just as important as the script is the acting and direction, both excellent as well. Kevin Spacey definitely earned his Academy Award as a man in despair who turns everything around.
American Beauty is probably the most thought-provoking movie I've ever seen. It's like a little window into your own life; it enables you to see things you may want to change about how you live or what you choose to do with your time. Each time I see it, I find myself thinking about it for days. How many movies can you say that for? But it's more than just thought-provoking; it's also hugely entertaining. The entire cast is great, and its well known that the cinematography is extraordinary. With American Beauty, you will not be seeing the ordinary film its plot outline may suggest. You'll be seeing one of the most inspiring, original, and important films ever made.