Truly a multifaceted film!

Rating: 8/10 (1 May 2000)

This film is highly acclaimed and is a great cinematic achievement. Not many of the critics have understood what the film is all about though. Kevin Spacey plays a father and husband that has ceased to live. He is however awakened by the appearance of a young beautiful girl who is a friend of his daughter. Seeking her sexual confirmation he get´s his act together and is rejuvenated for the better-or worse. His wife, who can only control herself (and her neuroses) by controlling her spouse, loses control over herself when he gains independence. She also feels inadequate in her profession and seeks the confirmation of "The King of Real Estate". In the end when Spacey´s total independence becomes clear, she feels victimized-he has taken away her self control by gaining control over his own life. His daughter, uncertain of her sexappeal is confirmed by her neighbor. The neighbor´s father, a Marine Colonel, can only control his desires by beating his son, although his son is aware of who he´s really blowing-himself.
The daughter´s friend, the sexy teenager who´s Spacey´s object of desire, seeks confirmation by bragging about her sexual escapades. Since she is dependent on other´s belief and whim she is devastated when her bluff is revealed. She then seeks confirmation in Spacey´s arms. When he gets the confirmation he has sought for so long he sees no point in fulfilling his fantasy. He got the "final confirmation" and moved on to total independence. This is just a rough sketch of the films message. See it again and remember that the only choice you have is to think.