Good, but by no means great

Rating: 5/10 (19 August 2000)

American Beauty
American Beauty is a good, but not a great, film. As a critique of (American) suburban life it is good, and Kevin Spacey gives a magnificent performance. But the film has too many flaws. The women are generally portrayed in an overly negative light in this film. The character of the repressed naval commander is dreadfully clichéd. The rift between daughter and father is over-done. One could go on  there are too many flaws. It is interesting that this should have gained Academy awards before the infinitely more powerful and disturbing The Sixth Sense. It goes to show that America will allow the spotlight to be turned on it so far. American Beauty is 'comfortable' criticism. Go and get out The Sixth Sense instead - it will really shake your views of reality.