The movie that made me re-think who I am....

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2011)

Single-handedly one of the most compelling films ever made. Anyone who was seen the trailer of this movie wouldn't have even thought about watching this as its just so under quality compared to this masterpiece of a movie. It is just the life of every seemingly haapy and perfect suburban household with a regular dorky dad, an over competitive mom who wants everything to be perfect at any cost, a confused kid and weird neighbors who smile at you every morning as if it is their duty to do so. Nearly everyone in the world can connect to this. But "look closer" (as said in the trailer) and you will see their sadness, tears, pain, suffering, pressure, frustration etc etc. But this movie is so much more than seeing and relating to pain, it is about seeing into the beauty of the world through all the pain, seeing light at the end of the tunnel, seeing a guiding star in a clouded sky if u will. That one moment when you do re-discover yourself is when everything seems to fall in place, even if only for a second, that feeling will last forever.
Kevin Spacey fits into the role of Lester as if he just put on his pajamas and going to bed. He seems so natural and lovable in the role. I will say that it is the one role which will define him and his career for ages to come. He does so well to mix up that element of comic relief in the serious undertone which carries the movie. His bored and uninterested voice actually is an upside which actually makes you understand and connect to him in a better way. You are invited into his neighborhood, his street and his life without even trying. No matter how much you want to leave it, it never lets you go. The supporting cast consisting of Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari and Chris Cooper revolve so well around this so closely knit story-line. Everyone of them is extremely believable in their respective roles and show you the dark underbelly of suburban living which is so rarely spotted by the suburban people themselves.
Director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball deserve their Oscar and the special praise they get. Their treatment of characters and the whole premise of the film is splendid. Yes, the movie is a comedy drama but only because the situations created in the story are so well worked out and thought about. When a black comedy is being written special care has to be taken so that the movie does not become preachy and boring. No worries about that here. You will take away a message from this movie but not how you thin you will though. You'll understand what I'm talking about eventually. Kudos to both of the fine gentlemen behind the screen who made this movie one of the most memorable two hours of my life.
To a superb script, shockingly truthful direction, Kevin Spacey and his "perfect" family, the Oscars finally getting it right and to what you'll take away after watching this movie I give it a 10/10.