American Beauty surprised me.....

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 2005)

When American Beauty was released in 1999, I hadn't any initial desire to run and see it. The trailers to the movie did not make me WANT to see it. What DID get me in the theater was "word of mouth". Once I saw it, I told everyone I could and they went to see it -- and I am so glad we all did. What a fresh change for a film at the time! This is a film about middle aged adults, being a teen, suburbia, ideals and what goes on beyond those pretty houses in those pretty areas with those pretty schools. It's not a popcorn movie, there aren't any car chases - in other words, this is a film that tells a story. And the story isn't a pretty one although at first it may seem to be. This film is one of those "good" films about adults that actually lets you get "on the inside", and you see whats happening from several perspectives, including the teens who are in their lives. Not everything is what it appears to be, not everything that looks alright is beautiful and to quote Basquait "you can find beauty even in the most wretched." This is a wonderful film that deserved every accolade it received. It may even surprise you too.