None of that annoying stuff! (plus, my thoughts on your rants, i.e. my own rant)

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2000)

I've only read "a few" reviews here (that is about 60) and well, and I don't know why people rant their souls out and almost kill each other for liking (more often) or disliking the film. It's neither somewhat revolutionary and unstandably truthful, nor is it stereotypical and fake, it's only good. But it's plain good, it's very very very good, actually. But that's all there is to it. It's very enjoyable, though the pace is rather slow, it's satire and the characters are intriguing.
I have to disagree with those who say the characters are one-dimensional, it's a lie. It's just that we are rather supposed to have fun with them than to examine their wounded souls until we can't sit straight because of the pain, if you know what I mean. (I guess I tend to express myself a little melodramatically, I'm sorry for that)
To start off with Lester Burnham, to all you stupids, he is not a pedophile! What are you thinking? In my world this word describes people who are very very much more disgusting in what they think and do, believe me. I don't think I have to go in further detail. Angela is almost adult, and she really asks for it... men lusting after her. She even says it herself that she likes it, and especially IF that's only the lie of an insecure little girl, the bitch shouldn't talk so big. Lusty Lester is what she gets in return for her behavior.
Much more than this bad word with a "p" some hysterical individuals apparently like to employ, Lester is a hero! Not because what he does is right or great, but because he tells all the jerks to p**s off and let him enjoy himself in his little ruts. He doesn't bother anyone so no one should bother him. He wakes up from his suburban zombie existence and finds something like inner peace. Two factors triggered this journey of Lester: his crazy infatuation with Angela, and even before that the absolutely unsupportable behavior of his wife, Carolyn, who is really such a jerk and such a phony.
Great performances by Kevin Spacey and Chris Cooper, and also the rest of the cast does very fine jobs. (It's good that Thora Birch is back!)
For what I wanted to express with my summary line: it's an all-American, all-Hollywood movie, but there's nothing of that typical Hollywood kitsch. Absolutely nothing! The emotions are rather restricted and true, and the dialogue is fantastic. Not those annoying "There is that guy and what does the guy do? He sees that door where you could ring the bell..." monologues that seem to be supposed to be cool. Only the things that have to be said, plus jokes that hit.
The amount of violence is okay, and for those who rant about the sexuality, vulgar language, teens smoking etc. (I've read some of the reviews from "Christian web sites" you can get linked to from here)... come on people, open your eyes! That's reality! Who of you thinks the 17-year-old kids in your neighborhood read the bible every evening before they go to bed at 9:30 and pray to the Lord above that they can keep their virginity until they marry?
Fine, the movie messes with the morals. But that's the fun about it. If not everyone would behave like such a jerk, no one would get hurt, believe me... maybe that's the tragedy about it. Well, I guess if all of us were like Lester it would all collapse. But on the other hand, if we all were like Carolyn we should all shoot ourselves. I hate her character, but I also feel sorry for her.
To draw a conclusion: it would be a nice change if things would have worked out for Lester. But why not dream. The tragedy of life is that there is so much beauty, but it's all bound to get so damn messed up. That's what the movie conveys in a very light and funny way and with very much irony of situation. It's hilarious, but don't look at it as intellectual or art. Just let Lester *rule* once in a lifetime. Rating: 10