Visually stunning, often hilarious and very moving

Rating: 10/10 (31 July 2014)

Kevin Spacey is currently lighting up our TV screens as the slimy politician, Frank Underwood, in Netflix's excellent political drama, House Of Cards. When it was announced, there was a considerable amount of fan expectation, mainly down to Spacey's involvement. Considered by many to be one of the best actors of his generation, Spacey has starred in a number of fantastic films, and American Beauty just might be the best.
The story follows Lester Burnham, played by Spacey, a disillusioned 40 something living in suburbia with his overbearing wife, Carolyn and 17 year old daughter, Jane. Lester is an empty shell of a man – in the opening moments he laments that he feels dead already. It's hard not to feel sorry for him as his boss, his wife, even his daughter walk over him at every possible opportunity. This all changes, however, when he meets Angela, a beautiful blonde cheerleader who just happens to be Jane's best friend. Angela lights a fire in Lester's belly as he decides he has had enough of his mundane existence and embarks on a mid life crisis of epic proportions.
Released in 1999, American Beauty won a number of Oscars, including Best Film and Best Director for Sam Mendes. It is clear to see why, as he fills the screen with unbelievably gorgeous imagery, with a rose petal motif providing a lot of the beauty of the title. Alan Ball's script is also near perfect as it deconstructs the idea of the American Dream and exposes the cracks in American suburbia's perfect facade.
There are times when the movie strays into pretentious territory and Chris Cooper's character is disappointingly one dimensional when compared with the rest of the fine cast. But these issues are minor as Spacey's performance, gorgeous cinematography and a score which will give you goosebumps all combine to give you a Best Film which is truly worthy of the honour.
A hilariously scathing satire of suburbia containing one of Kevin Spacey's best ever performances. Beautiful.