American Beauty: A classic ? Or just another great film ?

Rating: Null/10 (4 April 2001)

On the screen, when actors become real people, when lines become real voices, when a plot becomes a compelling, often humorous real-life drama, and the whole chronicles something about ourselves and our times, then we may have to at least consider that this might be "A Classic."
American Beauty is a rich film which works in almost every department; the plot with its whodunnit/whydunnit tension, the acting performances; the photography and music enhancing some scenes as backdrops, prominently at the forefront and exhilerating in others; the wholly original and theatrically influenced direction and faultless production values. They all combine here to produce a great film.
Films earn the label "Classic" through time. Time is as much a judge as are film critics or straight forward contemporary popularity. It's a little premature to rank American Beauty up there with Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Twelve Angry Men, Cuckoo's Nest, The Godfather, Schindler's List et al because Old Father T. hasn't yet mused on the issue long enough. It's quite possible that in 5 years' time, we'll be wondering what all the fuss was about. However, I'd wager that if OFT had to choose one film made in the last 5 years which might be in the frame for Eternal Citation, American Beauty would be it.