What a great surprise

Rating: 5/10 (19 October 1999)

There's was no a lot of publicity about the first film of Sam Mendes. But, when Kevin Spacey his at the head of the cast, it could be good. And it was good, it was great, it was excellent. What a terrific performance by Kevin "Keyser Soze" Spacey, maybe is second academy award after the excellent "Usual Suspects".
Is "American Beauty" original ? Yes ... and no. First, when you're gonna see it, you could probably said that it is the best original screenplay ever, but personnaly, I don't think so. It is the same kind of humor than the great "Election", and it is the same film, but less explicit than "Happiness".
If you haven't see "Happiness", you must take two hours of your lie to see this provocative film, this masterpiece, this analysis of our society at the end of the century.
But don't worry guys, I'm not saying that "American Beauty" is not a good film, "au contraire" ... but, I don't think that is place should be at the top of the 250 films. "American Beauty" is not better than "2001" or "Blade Runner" or "Pulp Fiction", etc.
Finally, if you want to have two hours of great fun, intense pleasure, "American Beauty" is your film ... but don't forget to see "The Fight Club"... !!!!!!!!!!!
American Beauty : 9/10 Happiness : 10/10 The Fight Club : 10/10
At the end of march 2000, there's a lot of chance that you heard : and the oscar for best actor goes to ... Kevin Spacey for "American Beauty". Must see.