Hey! There is only so much original stories!

Rating: Null/10 (26 October 1999)

So far, American Beauty has had more good reviews than bad ones on this message board. But there is one constant negative reproach made to it, and it is the lack or originality of the story. And I agree that the Frustrated Man Going Through his Mid-life Crisis is not the freshest subject. But... to be realistic, one has to say that there isn't many truly original stories anymore, except maybe in sci-fi. And there is not two human stories alike.
As to the fact that Spacey and Suvari have a rather...risky scene together, I think that they are perfectly tasteful and relevant to the story.
Of course, this may not be the best movie of all times, maybe not even of the year, but it is a truly sensitive treatment of human despair and hope. And...beauty.