Beauty, eh?

Rating: Null/10 (15 September 1999)

American Beauty
Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is a lonely and disillusioned 40-something man. Working at a job he doesn't like, married to a woman (Annette Bening) he doesn't love, and parenting a daughter(Thora Birch) that has long stopped talking to him, Lester is a zombie in a world that he once had such high expectations for. Living in nameless suburbia, Lester's neighbors are a rigid military man(LONE STAR's Chris Cooper), his clinically depressed wife(DROP DEAD GORGEOUS's Allison Janney), and their 18 year-old son named Ricky(Wes Bentley). Ricky's only love in life is to videotape everything he considers beautiful. The sky, the wind, dead birds, and Lester's daughter Jane are all caught in Ricky's camcorder. When Lester falls hopelessly in lust with one of Jane's friends Angela(AMERICAN PIE's Mena Suvari), he begins a mid-life crisis chain reaction that will forever change the tranquillity of Lester's ideal neighborhood, and permanently alter Lester's life.
This directing debut of Broadway's Sam Mendes(THE BLUE ROOM, the CABARET revival), AMERICAN BEAUTY cannot help but bring to mind the film RUSHMORE, the wonderful picture from last February. Both movies share an amazing similarity in tone and appearance. Both films are the product is minimal studio tampering, and most importantly, both films are the result of directors with fierce imagination and visual gumption. A English director making a film about American suburbia might be odd on paper, but Mendes captures the deeply woven world of BEAUTY with impeccable precision.

It's the script by TV writer Alan Ball that I feel is BEAUTY's largest Achilles Heel. While the screenplay is wonderfully nuanced, chock full of strong characters and universal emotions, I couldn't help but to feel that the subject matter of hidden emotions lost in middle-class suburbia has already been done way too much. Ranging from Robert Redford's ORDINARY PEOPLE, to even the putrid actioner THE BIG HIT, every other movie these days seems to think it's breaking new ground by suggesting that suburban America might not be all it's cracked up to be. It's rather bland and unexciting, and AMERICAN BEAUTY's best moments come whenever that particular message is tucked safely away. The film has more fun with subplots involving Lester's mid-life crisis, his wife's infidelities, the neighbor's raging homophobia, and Lester's pining for Angela. Mendes has a great eye and Ball has a great ear, I just wish their targets were more original.
With Kevin Spacey, I must admit that I had yet to fall under his charms. While a technically proficient actor, I really never enjoyed his performances as much as the fellow filmgoer. BEAUTY gives Spacey a much needed change of pace. Instead of creating a deeply pathos and dark character, Spacey takes the opportunity to showcase his sharp comedic skills. While not everything that happens to Lester is meant as comedy, Spacey takes each moment and works it for every emotion possible. We see Lester contempt, his pain, and his joy in each close-up. This is Spacey's best performance to date, I hope he doesn't lose the formula in future roles. Annette Bening also delivers a gangbusters performance as Carolyn Burnham. It's a role that is trickier than Spacey's, a character that doesn't invite much audience sympathy. Bening is a pro and works the angles nicely to give us a character that is never a monster, just a woman with her own problems. Thora Birch and Mena Suvari are underwhelming in the teenage roles, leaving only Wes Bentley alone to shine is his lead debut. Peter Gallagher, Allison Janney, and Chris Cooper are all fine in their supporting roles.
The deep angst that AMERICAN BEAUTY covers is nice for a change. A film that takes some minor chances with plot selections and overall tone. BEAUTY is a film that often could be considered brilliant, only minor disappointment comes when the film cannot seem to keep a even pace. I think Mendes and Ball have created a film that will stir many emotions out of the audience. A thought provoking film told with moxie and care. BEAUTY will forever be remembered as the film that was this close to genius.-------------- 8/10