Spectacular!!

Rating: 9/10 (11 August 2010)

A simple "What goes on.. beyond the facade.. in American suburbia". This though is so cleverly written and superbly employed as just an element in a fantastic dream.
When the film is over, you'll find your self, as if you been suddenly awaken from a dream, that you want so much to continue. So you try closing your eyes to capture and further cherish the images, the music and the overall experience.
I watched the film again to find many many jewels that I've missed. Then I soon found my self watching the film a third time to fathom, absorb, and enjoy the "dream" as a whole.
Enjoy the many genius strokes of cinematography by Conrad Hall, chillingly cozy musical impressions by Thomas Newman.. All subtle and well employed by the director. The acting is nothing less than superbly amazing by namely Wes Bently (Rick), also by Chris Cooper (Colonel Frank), Thora Birch (Jane), Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening. Added th that, Allan Ball's clever script & Sam Mendez's artistic direction, earn this film in my opinion a 9/10.
Lester Burnham, a typical suburbia male in his forties (played by Kevin Spacey) dreams on from the start on.. He gives you many reasons to disgust him.. but not for long .. soon you'll find your self understanding and liking him a lot.
His wife (played by Annette Bening) invokes a laugh or two about how silly our suburban life can be, and she manages to maintain your dislike for the irritating persona much longer towards the end. Only then you discover you like her too.
Their teenage daughter Jane (a lovable freak) is so enjoyably genuine and vivid that you'd wish she is your daughter.
There comes the freaky neighbors: Frank, a US Army colonel, who constantly freaking out his son and neighbors. His wife, or what he left of her, is long worn out by him, but still finds love in her heart to inject in their son.
The film gives you every thinkable reason of hating the colonel, but amazingly giving him so much credibility and depth that you, even knowing what he's capable of, start sympathizing with this wreck of a human being towards the end of the movie.
The real admirable role in the film is their son Rick (played by Wes Bently). Although he's so f...d up, he sees a lot of life and love in everything. He earns the love of the girl at school, her father, and, believe me, yours too.
Don't miss this dream of a film. As Lester says of his dream in the beginning of the film: "SPECTACULAR!!!!"