An important and remarkable film

Rating: Null/10 (18 July 2000)

American Beauty works. It works so well. And it's difficult to understand why.
On the surface, one could say it's flawed. Why does Lester HAVE to die? And why are we told he's going to in the beginning? Is this to make up for the basic lack of plot?
I'll admit the film is not technically perfect. It's not.
But nothing is. And, in a sense, that is exactly what this movie is about.
No character is perfect. None live up to their own expectations. Each has issues, insecurities, demons. Each feels deep shame. Each tries to hide these. We all do. But by the end, it is their weakness, their idiosyncrasies, and their insecurities that make them more deserving of the love they deny themselves than they would ever be without the vulnerability and imperfection that infiltrates their minds.
Without our insecurities, our quirks, the things that make us "freaks", we would be ugly. We wouldn't be softened. We wouldn't empathise. But the way we are--imperfect, vulnerable, confused, and afraid--we are beautiful. We are special. We deserve our place on this beautiful planet as much as the grass, the trees, and yes, the roses.
The film even challenges our negative perceptions of death, assuring us that even in death there is beauty, there is peace, there is rest. And, if we're spiritual and accepting of not only our own shortcomings but the shortcomings of others, we will, like Lester, maybe even experience something after this life more amazing than we'd ever dreamed of and, as Ricky said, have no reason to be afraid.
I was genuinely touched by this beautiful film that wants so much to challenge, please, and love its audience.
Breathtaking.