Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most normal of us all?

Rating: Null/10 (17 May 2000)

After having read through a whole pile of comments by IMDB users about this film, I can't help but notice that the most badly-argumented, vigorous, total rejections of this film (one can almost call them declarations of hate) comes from people within the United States of America... Why is this? I have my theories.
Somebody wrote about this film that it is not for the masses, and maybe he was right. American Beauty portrays us for what we are: Materialistic, childish, uncontrolled, selfish, intolerant people. But all is not black that we see... The beauty in this film is that every character, no matter what flaws, has their bright side. That makes it such an important document: It rubs our noses right into the fact that the American Dream, although it does exist, is not perfect and neither are the people living it or trying to live it. Albeit not an idea one enjoys being confronted with, it did make me think about who I am, what I do and how I behave towards others. In my book, that already makes it a success.
The movie, although excellent, bothered me in one respect because throughout the film I couldn't help but think that it is a partial rip-off of "Happiness", the 1998 movie by Todd Solondz. The story that unfolds in that movie is very similar with the distinction that "Happiness" is totally non-judgmental towards any behaviour depicted, which cannot entirely be said for "American Beauty".
I invite anyone who has enough character to look in the mirror for a while and be honest to themselves to go get this film and have a long, hard look at it. It's worth every minute. If after that you still want more I would seriously recommend watching "Happiness" as well, but don't forget to strap yourself in for that emotional roller-coaster ride... Neither movie is for the feint-hearted or blissfully ignorant.
Either which way, I'll never drive through a drive-in hamburger joint again without a smirk on my face....