Poignant, Witty, Disturbing and Real

Rating: 10/10 (18 September 1999)

This is the kind of movie I had hoped Hollywood was capable of making.
From the superb acting to the lovely cinemaphotography, American Beauty was a near-flawless movie. Though it dragged on a little towards the end, it was well-worth my 8 bucks and I look forward to seeing it again.
Kevin Spacey's performance as a mid-life crisised advertising agency drone was brilliant. His range of emotion as his character's journey unfolded was spot-on: from sadness and hopelessness to rage and (mild) euphoria, Spacey really conveyed the feelings of his character. I felt what his character felt.
American Beauty's strengths, however, were its phenomenal dialogue and well-matched supporting cast. Smart and witty dialogue based in the gritty realism of a family falling apart combined with a solid, well-written movie with a cast talented enough to pull-it off is a rarity. Beauty's cast was seamless. Great performances by all.
A truly lovely movie through and through, I highly recommend American Beauty.