Very powerful film

Rating: 10/10 (22 March 2017)

American beauty is a film that's not for everyone, some will not get it or just think it makes no sense. But I found it to be a very well made movie that has a good bit to say. First of all, Kevin spacey gives a very powerful yet seemingly effortless performance. And Annette Benning, oh wow how the he'll did she not pick up the Oscar along with Kevin. Benning seems like a sort of Stepford wife kind of character at first, but you soon find out that she is hiding a whole lot underneath. I love the scene where Carolyn is trying desperately to sell a house and she runs out of luck at the end of the day and starts crying then slapping herself repeatedly saying "you baby!" and "weak!". That in my opinion is a crucial scene when it comes to Carolyn's character development and giving the audience a deep look inside of her. I was thoroughly impressed with thora Birch's performance too, haven't seen anything from her other than the underrated Disney classic hocus pocus. Chris Cooper is great as the horribly prejudice overly tough ex marine father of Wes Bentley, who also turns in a fine very mature performance. Cooper's is an incredibly sad example a closeted gay man who won't accept his own sexuality and in turn is extremely anti gay towards everyone and takes out his anger and frustration on his eighteen year old son. The movie does a wonderful job at telling the complex stories of each and every character and they all intertwine very well. I adored the cast, how the cast portrayed their characters and the clever writing. Well deserving of best picture!