A failed attempt to expose the horrors of the Nuclear family.

Rating: 6/10 (1 March 2000)

American Beauty follows a man and his family as he rediscovers his true self during a mid-life crisis. Spacey's character develops a crush on his daughter's hot friend, smokes pot with the neighbor's kid, and quits his job.
Beauty isn't much more than an interesting fantasy for the viewer, a "what if I really did what I wanted?" It falls short of any real social commentary or entertainment. In addition to its general lackluster, the film contains a non sequitur sub plot about the neighbor's homophobia, which, having nothing to do whatsoever with the rest of the story, comes out of nowhere to play a pivotable role.
If you found Beauty interesting, there's two other films I would strongly suggest. If you liked the this-is-an-american-family-with-some-disturbing-problems aspect, watch Tod Solontz' "Happiness;" it's more disturbing and fits together better. If you liked the I'm-a-corporate-employee-who's-discovering-who-I-really-am-and-loving-it aspect, watch "Fight Club;" it's a better film, and it's "Take this job and shove it scene" is infinitely more satisfying.