Hmmm?

Rating: 1/10 (1 February 2000)

While American Beauty may be critically applauded by many, it failed to capture my imagination. After hearing critics rave about it for so log I finally conjured up the will to see it. After seeing it for the first, I must admit it did nothing for me. Feeling intellectually inadequate and sporting a huge chip on my shoulder, I decided to view it again to see if I had missed anything. Subtexts, themes, plot lines etc. But after coming out of the movie for the second time, I felt no different than from what I had felt coming out of it the first time. Impeccably shot: yes. Superb acting: yes (especially Bening). But the story line and the manner in which the characters interact with each other feels somewhat forced and contrived. The obvious thematic premise of the great chase for the American dream is exposed yet is never expanded upon and one cannot feel the film moves in any direction at all but instead simply seems to rest on it's laurels, contemplating. While I enjoyed many aspects of American Beauty, I cannot see why it has been so critically praised.