Entertaining comedy/drama beautifully photographed and performed

Rating: 9/10 (5 October 1999)

Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, the husband/father in a dysfunctional family, in Sam Mendes latest film, `American Beauty'. His wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening), is a real estate agent, and his teenage daughter, Jane (Thora Birch), is suffering from typical adolescent angst. Into their lives come three people who will change their lives and upset the precarious balance of everyday existence. Lester becomes obsessed with Jane's beautiful cheerleader best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). Carolyn falls for Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher), a competing real estate agent, whom she lusts after and idolizes professionally. Jane meets Ricky (the excellent Wes Bentley) who conveniently lives next door and furtively photographs her at every opportunity. Of course this is all a prescription for disaster. Alan Ball, screenwriter, has devised some wickedly funny daydream sequences for his characters. These are all stunningly photographed by Conrad Hall and scored by Thomas Newman. There is a passionate synergy of all these parts sweeping these characters toward the tragic conclusion which is more than hinted at in Lester's ongoing narration. This is only weakened slightly by a rather predictable last half-hour. Spacey continues to add to a gallery of extraordinary performances (Usual Suspect, L.A. Confidential). Beautiful Annette Bening displays her growing range as a mature actress. Both Thora Birch (Now and Then) and Wes Bentley give career-making performances. Chis Cooper and Allison Janey, as the next door neighbors who are even more dysfunctional that the Burnhams, also etch fine portrayals. This comedy/drama will probably be on many `best lists' and hopefully won't be forgotten at award time. All creative hands here have brought an entertaining tale to brighten the fall film season.