Too much buildup, not enough movie

Rating: 6/10 (20 July 2000)

I finally got around to seeing this film, and I don't see how in the world this can be the 3rd best film of 1999, let alone ever. I personally thought that the Green Mile, Sixth Sense and the Matrix were all better movies. A few people have said things about deep symbolism in this movie. Well I don't see it. You know what I see? A movie poking fun at suburban and middle-aged life, nothing more. I think people are reading more into it than is really there. I thought the movie was good, but definitely not great. I'll file it with Dazed & Confused and other movies that are entertaining but have no real value.
That's another thing, many people have said that this movie impacted them in some way. But when it was over, I felt nothing. The Green Mile, Saving Private Ryan, Good Will Hunting -- I took something to heart when I saw these. But you can't really take anything away from this movie, or at least I couldn't.
To think that this movie won Best Picture over the Green Mile is an absolute travesty. Yes, it may just be about some guards who become attached to an amazing inmate, but it's also about the human spirit, and how kindness and goodness can exist in even the most desolate of places. American Beauty is about a 42 year old man who quits his job, takes up pot and wants to get in the sack with with daughter's best friend. Must be the first time a pedophile ever won best actor. Not to mention the ending. Does Lester really have to die in the first place? All in all, this was a good movie, but not outstanding -- and certainly not worthy of all the Oscars it won. 6/10.