A beautiful, commercial art-house dramedy.

Rating: 10/10 (25 July 2001)

If you are the type of person who appreciates every minute of your life, then you may just enjoy this film to its fullest potential. If you are the type of person who doesn't appreciate every minute of your life or the people around you, then you may just need to see this film, and learn to appreciate its full potential.
This film is original and clever in story, interesting in premise, acted sharply by its well-rounded cast, directed in a manner made all the more absorbing, and edgy and humorous enough to keep me going. Before I go on any further, let it be said that an actor by the name of Kevin Spacey rocks! Okay, now that I got that off my chest, let's go on.
How about Thomas Newman's score? Usually I never really care about the score, let alone notice it in films. But, when there wasn't any dialogue in certain scenes and just the music, it also helped make the movie more absorbing. From the hauntingly eerie music that's in the background when we first meet Ricky when he's filming Lester and Jane in the kitchen to the music we hear when Lester dreams about Angela in the bed of roses on the ceiling.
With that said, I feel as though Alan Ball may just be becoming my favorite screenwriter these days, he's very smart and funny and with this film and the series "Six Feet Under" to his credit, makes me want to see more films he plans to write in the future.
And whenever Spacey took center stage, man stand back, cause that guy will suck you back into the thick of things, like he did to me! Having said that, this film is definitely a film to be savored by people who are in touch with themselves and appreciate a frank, sometimes brutally honest, look at their pathetic and drab existence. I personally enjoyed the strong performances by the cast, especially Spacey and the friend of his daughter, played by Mena Suvari, the finale, which seemed like it was going one way but then kept curving back every now and again, and the dark humor, which filled many of the scenes. Certainly an overly valiant effort from first time director Sam Mendes, who seems to have a solid grasp on the pulse of characters going through varied difficulties in their lives. So check this film out for yourself and see how you feel. It may just help you appreciate certain aspects of your life much better. Just look closer... (Sorry, but I had to!).
Rating: 10/10