American Beauty - this film was very disappointing. It was far too transparent and predictable.

Rating: 3/10 (26 March 2000)

For those of you that think this is the best film you have ever seen, you need to expand your narrow view of the cinematic world. In fact try reading some books, for instance Winesburg Ohio by Sherwood Anderson.
The story line in American Beauty was far from original, and the characters were tired stereotypes living the 'American Dream'. The symbols used were trite and obvious, for instance the dead dove (need I explain) and the rose petals on a virgin (they even had to tell you that later). Angela's 'deflowering' that never happened was possibly the most sensitive moment in the film, when Lester realised that she was just a little girl, and that his fantasy was just an outlet for his deep insecurities.
The film is about the fear and mystery surrounding death, although I feel it was trying to be about something else, which never really becomes apparent. Our fear and curiosity of death is what draws the audience. But Jane, Lester's daughter, saying that she would like Ricky to kill her father draws the audience into the film on completely false pretences, as we later find that she was 'only joking'. You should never deceive your audience.
Kevin Spacey speaks to you at the end of the film, reminding you that you too will die one day - see what I mean? We are fascinated by ourselves and how we will die. Thats why we watch a film like this till the end, to see how he dies, it is almost irrelevant who kills him. The lame plot that surfaces - the fact that several of them want him dead, should have been cut out. It doesn't mean anything.
Enough films deconstructing the 'American Dream' thank you. Surely the fact that yet another has been made to such great acclaim is the irony here.