Brilliant and Funny Beauty is Absolutely Flawless

Rating: Null/10 (3 January 2000)

My two-month high on life has been in a major funk this past week and "American Beauty" is just what the therapist ordered. This spectacular, dark, funny film should be added to the best 100 films of all time. This is filmmaking at its best and if you only see one movie this year, make it "American Beauty", it doesn't get any better than this.
Lester Burnhan (Kevin Spacey), 42 years old is in one hell of a major funk, even though he appears to have it all. A well paying job, a beautiful house along with a beautiful wife (Annette Bening) and a smart daughter (Thora Birch). But deep down and really not that deep, Lester is dying inside with not much to look forward to. Then two things happen in his life, he walks out of his soulless job and he becomes sexually fascinated with his daughter's high school friend (Mena Suvari). Soon Lester is recapturing his youth and living life the way it should be lived. He chucks his mundane existence for the happiness that he and all of us deserve, but of course like everything in life, there is a price to pay. One of the characters in "American Beauty" says, "You can't go around doing what you what, there are rules in life". Well, Lester proves that statement is wrong and thus begins his self-odyssey in this very funny, intelligent and relevant film. Lester is not the only character in the film to challenge that statement, but he is the only one who does it with such sheer determination, pleasure and joy. Some critics have said that this is a film about suburbia and domestic life, but it only takes place in the suburbs and focuses on one particular family, this film go much deeper than that. The heart of this film is about the walls and cages that we trap ourselves in that we think will bring us happiness, only to find out that they don't and that is the simple things in life, the beauty to speak of, that does it for us.
Every once in a while a film clicks completely together with the writing, directing, acting characters the whole kit and kaboodle. Well, "American Beauty" is complete perfection. There is not a false note or move in this entire movie, not one small weakness or flaw. Director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball have put together a masterpiece on life in the last part of the 20th century and some of the best performances on screen this or any other year. The wonderful Kevin Spacey's smugness has never been put to better use than here. Hands down, this is the best performance by an actor this year, an Oscar winning performance period (don't even mention Jim Carrey in the same sentence). Annette Bening has never had a better role or been this good in her entire career. Just maybe this will put her back on the map other than as Warren Beatty's wife. It is such an honest heart-felt performance as the unhappy wife who is dead inside, but just can't come to terms with it. A high price to pay for all the material things that she thinks brings her happiness. Thora Birch as the their daughter Jane and Wes Bentley as the odd next door neighbor Ricky Fitts are excellent, especially Fitts who has some wonderful moments on screen. I sure hope to see more of this young talent, rather than the damn Leo kid.
I did say that the film had no flaws, but there is one tiny one I did not mention. Eventually this movie had to end. This year's best film, don't miss it or if you have already seen it, check it out again. Highly Recommended. × × × × × out of 5