One of the best movies of the 20th century

Rating: Null/10 (13 January 2002)

I went to see American Beauty without knowing much about it in advance - somehow the hype had entirely missed me and that is probably the reason I liked it so much. What is great about American Beauty is that it's not a "one-timer" (at least not to me). There's a lot more than meets the eye. So far I've seen it three times and I want to see it again. 1999 was a great year in movie industry - I think Magnolia, too, was a great success. More than anything else, however, I liked AB. Not many movies have moments in them when you watch and you suddenly realise you're looking at yourself, no mirrors, no censored scenes, no bigotry. Just the life you live, taken and mixed with Hollywood magic, no apparent exaggerations or over amplified kicks and punches, etc. Another great factor that works for the movie is the soundtrack, a crafty mixture of old and specially composed new tracks.
I think American Beauty is a "culturally challenged" film - it may have no way of interpretation in some (if not many) cultural backgrounds. As for me - in a way, even the setting of the movie is not too different from where I live. Besides, it IS called AMERICAN Beauty, which in itself refers to a highly restricted cultural span. Even though it deals with a number of perceptions of beauty, it needn't necessarily be as straightforward to people with a different background. Even though many people may not like it, American Beauty is a must-see together with some other "classics" such as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Moulin Rouge. I should think a lot of people disagree with me, though... Another thing that is, in my opinion, quite important about American Beauty is that it's a cinema film. I think that a dark hall full of people laughing or silently staring at the screen when you do is an important factor, especially in forming a first impression. There is no way of feeling or thinking what one feels or thinks at a cinema, in a cozy armchair by a fire place.