An oscar winner? No. A great film? Yes...

Rating: Null/10 (10 May 2000)

American beauty was indeed not what I was expecting. I had the visa charged, and ready for this film, and I am glad that we didn't purchase it - yet.

Why? Several reasons, and I will be brief, as my 2 cents is only worth what everyone elses 2 cents is worth... and we all deserve to spend it wisely.

The Main Cast -------------
Annette Benning -- Good casting, great character. Not a stretch for her though. American President showed the same skills and abilities, and in a better role.
Kevin Spacy -- I am jaded, and I admit, I love almost everything he does -- but this is his finest 98 minutes. He is able to portray a near mad-man with convincing reality, and passion. A true master at his craft.
Wes Bentley -- while a relative newcomer to Hollywood, he played the dual world character with a developed style. Watch for this young man. Expect bigger things.

The Film ---------
American Beauty tittilates, romanticizes, and nauseates almost every minute. The sordid fantasy, eroticism and hormonal magnitude of Kevin Spaceys affection both intrigued, and sickened -- which is a testament to our society. When a man can re-invent himself to satisfy carnal needs at the wink of a high school girl, and we can relate? Says something about us.
Benning is the proverbial "one upping the Jones'" poster girl. Admirable, and dispicable at the same time. Her role was a necessary facet, but not overdone to hide the main theme of childhood beauty, and sickening eroticism.
The daughter. Attractive, self-conscious, and indeed indicitive of our high schools. The victim of self imposed hyper-criticism - and we have all been there at some point.
American beauty is a great film. I believe strongly that it should be seen. Would I purchase this movie? Whether or not I would purchase a film is often the yardstick I use to gauge a film. Every movie in my collection (over 200) is there for a reason. Is there a reason for this movie? Indeed - as there was for American History X and the Usual suspects. Brutal awareness of our society, and those who live within it.
Do I see this movie as an oscar winner? I don't think so. It had the right elements. It gripped. It turned me to think about myself, the things I do and say, and the double entendre often imposed without any realization. BUT. It's not the movie for the masses. Traditionally, every oscar winner I can think of spoke to the masses. They spoke to every American (and Canadian thank-you-very-much). This film does not. A large percentage of the population would be horrified to see this film.
In short.. a thumbs up. But I wouldn't want my Grandmother to see it.