A Solid 90's Drama

Rating: 8/10 (7 September 2019)

"American Beauty" is a solid 1990's drama with strong performances, creative visuals, and poignant themes. Twenty years later it still holds up as an entertaining story about a dysfunctional family and discontent in the American suburbs. After multiple viewings I find that I most enjoy the movie's ironic sense of humor - which comes out strongest in Kevin Spacey's turn as Lester Durnham. (Although watching the movie after the 2017 sexual harassment allegations against him makes for an uncomfortable experience).
Unfortunately the movie also suffers from poor dialogue and a muddled message. Lines like "what a lame-o" or "Mr. Smarty-man" are common in a script filled with similarly awkward turns of phrase from the central cast. (However Lester's dialogue is consistently well-written). The overall film is a broad critique of 1990s America, striking at materialism, homophobia, and gun culture. While "American Beauty" provides some fascinating insights into these themes the movie doesn't clearly communicate how they all tie together, and in the case of materialism the movie doesn't show why it's so bad. Is materialism bad because it ruined Lester's marriage? Or because it's intrinsically wrong?
Either way, the film's handling of this theme is problematic: all the main characters are well-off white people in the most powerful and prosperous country in world history. Should we really be concerned that Carolyn overvalues the price of a couch? Is that honestly such a horrible thing to do in the grand scheme of things? When the Burnhams, particularly Lester, complain about their lives they often come off as whiny and entitled - ignorant of the immense privileges they enjoy over millions of other people in America who lack a fancy house or an expensive car. In contrast Ricky Fitts is by far the most sympathetic character in the film because, unlike the Burnham family, he endures a lifetime of genuine abuse and humiliation at the hands of his father. The film would've done better to focus on their relationship instead of the comparatively less interesting Burnhams.
That being said, the movie has a brilliant ending that totally subverts your expectations in a shocking but completely memorable way. I won't go into detail here, but it absolutely needs to be seen. Was "American Beauty" the best movie of 1999? Despite winning Best Picture the film isn't as good as "Magnolia" or even "Fight Club," which addressed the same themes to a more lasting effect. In fact because it satirizes instead of celebrates people like Lester Burnham, "Fight Club" is more perceptive and even more relevant. But all the same "American Beauty" is a compelling drama that's well worth two hours of your time. 8/10.