the renaissance of brains in hollywood

Rating: 10/10 (23 August 2001)

when i walked out of the theater after having seen American Beauty for the first time, my mind was busy taking joy in the idea that real, intelligent filmmaking had returned to the u.s. this movie is not about explosions and guns and naked chicks (though, to some extent, each of these does play a part), but about real life. the mundane tragedies that slowly kill us every day. the story is allowed to unfold here at its own pace, and slowly the characters reveal to us what is underneath the daily masks we all wear. there is not a performance in this film that rings untrue, and the newcomers are just as stunning and given just as much quality time with the camera as the veteran performers. i bought this movie shortly after it came out, and it gets better and more understood with every repeat viewing. i can't think of better praise than that.