Be sure to look closer!

Rating: 10/10 (28 November 2000)

"This is the highlight of my day. It all goes downhill from here" This line delivered by Kevin Spacey in his usual dead-pan voice while his character, Lester Burnham, is masturbating in the shower, sets the scene for the entire film - a film that left both me and my friend dumbfounded as we left the cinema.
As I hadn't read any of the reviews before going to see the film (as is my custom), I had no idea what I was going to see. All I knew was that this was the film that had sold out across London's West-End while on limited released. What I received is one of the most awe-inspiring and deeply profound films I have ever seen! Not only does it rip open the pretense that everybody in America is happy and ready to live the American Dream, it deals with a subject that many films are afraid to show - an older man lusting after an under-age girl.
Kevin Spacey is wonderful as Lester, a man trapped in a pitiful life. He deserved his Oscar and might well become the Jack Lemmon of our generation - an acting genius. However, I feel that Annette Bening's nomination was undeserved - yes she was brilliant as Carolyn, but she didn't have the emotional underlayings that Spacey gave to his character. If I were on the Academy, I'd have nominated Wes Bentley as Best Supporting Actor and Thora Birch as Best Supporting Actress - both gave their characters their all, and managed to portray them so realistically!
My one complaint about this film is Mena Suvari. I think that she was cast in the role of Angela simply because of her looks and not her acting ability. However, saying that, I can't imagine anybody else in her role!