Beautifully tragic tale of a disfunctional family in Suburbia

Rating: 10/10 (29 August 2000)

"American Beauty" is one of those films that is impossible to forget. Its blatant honesty and willingness to right out face uncomfortable issues make it a great modern movie, but I think its popularity won't slip in the far future. The story follows Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), his wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening), and his daughter, Jane (Thora Birch). Lester's marriage has fallen apart, as well as his relationship with his daughter. His boss has told him that he needs to prove how he's useful to the company or he'll be fired. With his life crashing down around his head, he finds beauty and new life in the simple sight of his daughter's friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). Just her image brings life and spontenaiety back to his brain, and things start going right for him. I don't want to give up too much more information about the plot, but let me tell you that I think the meaning is much deeper than it may seem. This is a beautiful movie and is not to be missed by any passionate film-viewer.