We never got to see Lester drive his Firebird!

Rating: 9/10 (8 August 2004)

If there is one truth to this outstanding film it's this: Suburban life will absolutely suck the life out of a man. I think there are Lester Burnhams out there all over the country waiting to explode.
Kevin Spacey gives a truly astounding performance as Lester Burnham. He's a middle-aged man who hates his very existence. His job sucks, his family takes him for granted, and the only thing he has to look forward to each day is masturbating in the shower, or occasionally in the bathroom at work. Lester is truly having a mid-life crisis. But rather than break down in despair or visit a shrink, he just rolls with it. He quits his job, blackmails his company for another year's salary, trades in his little Toyota for a vintage Firebird, starts smoking dope, and begins to lust after his daughter's best friend. All of this to the horror of his wife who then begins to cheat on him. Watching Kevin Spacey play Lester is truly amazing. Even though this behavior in real life could really have a destructive effect on his family, you can't help but root for the guy.

The other actors in this film are great too, but make no mistake, Kevin Spacey is what makes this film great.
Annette Bening is a little over-the-top in her portrayal of Lester's career-obsessed wife. She comes off completely fake and impersonal, as intended. The scene where she slaps herself for crying after failing to sell a house was perhaps a bit too much. But make no mistake about it; there are plenty of people like this in the world and they make me want to strangle them.
The three teenage characters are each made memorable by the terrific young performers playing them. This film is not afraid to take chances with these young people and that's a major reason this film works so well.
A major blemish this film suffers from is Chris Cooper's Marine Col. character. I don't know where to begin as far a criticizing this paper scarecrow they invented here. This Col. Fitts is a conglomerate of practically every stereotype you could think of. He's an abusive father, a bad husband, a Nazi memorabilia collector, a homophobe, and he's GAY all at once! And Hollywood takes its obligatory shot at the US military by making him a Marine on top of everything else. Cooper is a fine actor, and he does what he can with his character. I think the film would have been better served if they'd have taken Col. Fitts back to the drawing board and dropped some of his baggage, however. How about just making him an abusive father who hates gays? Wouldn't that have been enough?
Overall, this film works so well because it is unflinchingly honest. The drug use, the plastic career-minded saps, the teenage angst, the sexual frustration. These things are rampant out there. But at the same time the world is such a very beautiful place and we hardly even seem to notice it. This film should be required viewing for all middle-aged married types, unhappy teens, suburban folks... just about all of us.

The film isn't perfect, but how many are? This isn't a film that you will likely forget about the moment you've dropped it off back at your rental place of choice. You might in fact feel compelled to own a copy of it.

To all the potential Lesters of the world: Wake up! Life is passing you by!

I'll give it 9 of 10 stars
So sayeth the Hound.