Great film, but not as good as the score says.

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2000)

This is a terrificly moving film that confronts the usual downtrodden American Dream going sour cliche. Unlike, say, Fight Club, American Beauty presents it in an unoffensive way, offering comment-lite which is where the film falls down of fantastic status.
There are many better films out there that address the same issues in a much more intelligent and, in some cases, confrontational way. If you like your film 'spot on' this is it, but it falls short of being subversive which is what it wants to be.
You should still watch it though.