Kevin Spacey at his best!

Rating: Null/10 (19 September 1999)

By any other name, the film American Beauty would not be aptly titled, even though there is nothing redeeming about the storyline, nor the characters in this film.
Is it American tragedy? Maybe. How about American hypocracy? Sure. Or, what about American violence? Oh, yes! The title, American Beauty is really a facetious remark that fits aptly into the theme of this film.
While twisted and ugly, this film is beautiful to watch. The photography is gorgeous. The acting is first rate. And the direction is perfect.

It is the story of a suburban middle class family that is falling apart at the seams. While we have seen suburbia captured so well in past films (Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands immediately comes to mind), this film paints a fresh new perspective, offering us a hollow landscape of false values and cold emotion. When Annette Benning waves at a passer by, or when the gay couple bring a welcome basket to their new neighbors, it is quite apparent that something unnatural and forced is taking place.
Kevin Spacey is Lester Burnham, the father, about to lose his job in the midst of a midlife crisis. Annette Benning is Carolyn, the mother, an eager real estate agent who believes that 'image' is everything! Their marriage is falling apart and their daughter Jane (played by Thora Birch) has lost interest in them.
Jane seeks solace in the bedroom of the neighborhood freak, who passes the time videotaping her from his bedroom window. Her best friend, Angela, is a self centered prom queen, who espouses her MTV values on Jane, and anyone else willing to listen.
Spacey's character finds himself suddenly in love with Angela. He quits his job and begins working out in an effort to bed her down. Meanwhile, Benning's character finds happiness and opportunities with the King of Real Estate, Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher).
Kevin Spacey has already proven himself to be one of the great actors of the 90's, and this film (perhaps to become his signature piece) only proves that. He is the films center of gravity. He is funny when the plot gets too dark. He is poignant when the film becomes too serious.

Not since The Opposite of Sex has a film blended so well, teenage angst with dark humor. While Spacey's character narrates the story, it is the teenagers that manipulate the plot and offer their wisdom. The adults are merely along for the ride.
American Beauty is 'laugh-out-loud' funny, and Spacey's character utters 'in-your-face' lines that are destined to become classics. The film, however, does not leaver the viewer with any hope for middle class suburbia. If anything, we are left to wonder whether family values really existed in the first place. The film is dark and bitter, and so it should be. If you have to fake it, it can't be beautiful.