Thoughtful, intelligent, and disturbing...

Rating: 9/10 (29 September 1999)

Rather than re-hash what has already been said, I will comment further. I give this movie 9 out of 10 points. It has tremendously solid acting, cinematography, and direction-- there is not a wasted scene in 2 hours. Critics have been comparing this film to "Ordinary People", but I can't say I felt the same emotional connection to the characters in "American Beauty" as I did in "Ordinary People"-- probably because of the comic elements.
I believe this film really is about things not being what they seem. Think about it-- no one in the movie is really what they seem to be. Even in death, Wes Bentley sees happiness on the face of Kevin Spacey (one of many moments emphasizing this point).
For all the predictors of Oscars galore, please remember that "The Ice Storm" was shut out at Oscar nomination time. For the same reason, I predict this film will receive one or two nominations at most. Sad, but true.