True Beauty

Rating: 9/10 (1 June 2011)

American Beauty is one of a kind. Words cannot describe this movie. Although the title might suggest it's some sort of typical chick flick, it certainly isn't.
The story is set in a perfect neighborhood in America. Lester and Carolyn Burnham, acted by Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening, look like the perfect couple with a perfect daughter Jane, acted by Thora Birch. Lester is in his mid-life crisis, in love with his daughter's friend Angela, acted by Mena Suvari. Lester hates his job, his wife is bitchy and his daughter Jane does not love him. In addition, Jane is interested in the boy next door: Ricky, who is dealing drugs and who likes to film things and events that he thinks are beautiful but which look strange to a lot of people. Ricky has a very strict father from the army who dislikes gay people and who thinks Lester and Ricky are a couple, while they are actually dealing drugs.
The acting is excellently done and with a lot of exaggeration which lets us identify ourselves with the characters. American Beauty has a lot of small patterns and subtle moments in it. A small example of this is that Carolyn, Lester's wife is throughout the film compared to a full grown rose while Angela, Lester's crush and Jane's best friend is covered in rose petals when Lester dreams about her. This might suggest that Carolyn is the person Angela might become in a few years time or that Angela actually is like Carolyn was, before she let herself be led by greediness. These sorts of small things you find throughout the whole story. This makes the story interesting. Even if you watch it multiple times because every time you discover something new. All these small details make this an entertaining movie to watch.
There aren't a lot of special effects used in this movie but there isn't any need for it either. The special effects are mostly used in the dream and fantasy sections of the father, Lester. These are the scenes in which he fantasizes about Angela, the friend of his daughter Jane. The rose peddles symbolize the social barrier between Lester and Angela but they also symbolize beauty, which is one of the most important themes in the American Beauty. The special effects are used to make clear it is just a fantasy and the thoughts of one person.
This film makes you think about life and fills your head with many thoughts about human behavior. American Beauty has a thoughtful message coming with it. Live your life honest and pure and everything will be alright. This is also shown by Ricky filming beauty. He can see beauty in Jane, his girlfriend but also in a plastic bag floating in the wind. Beauty is the most important aspect of this movie. In the movie they show that beauty isn't what we are taught to see as beautiful but true beauty could be found in the most simple and normal things and that these little things should be appreciated.
It also shows that nothing is what it looks like. For example from a distance you might think Lester would be very happy having a wife, a daughter and a job. Then when you take a closer look, he seems to be much less happy than you would think. This also relates to the tag line of the film again 'Look closer..' We thought the American beauty was an outstanding film. It has an excellent storyline which was simple but had enough twists. The acting was great. This movie really sets you to think. We would recommend this film to everybody.