enjoyable but not spectacular

Rating: 7/10 (9 June 2003)

excellent movie. didn't quite live up to my high expectations though. i guess that's the problem with watching movies that you've heard a lot of rave reviews about. i seem to enjoy movies more when i go in not expecting much of anything.
American Beauty is definitely a "good" movie. but it didn't exactly move me or touch me to the depth of my souls as some other movies have done. all the characters were well cast. (especially plain Jane, the intense looking weirdo guy, Mena Suvari, Kevin Spacey). there was also no point in the movie when i was bored or wondering what the hell was going on. this is also a very straightforward movie where whatever happens is pretty clear ...
i recommend this movie highly. although it's not one of my personal favorites, it was enjoyable and definitely worth viewing.