What is beautiful to you?

Rating: 9/10 (20 September 1999)

From Alan Ball's magnificent original screenplay, to Conrad Hall's impeccable cinematography, to truly brilliant acting turns from Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening, this modern-day morality tale is close to perfection. From what's on display here, director Sam Mendes may prove to be the best actor's director since Mike Nichols, taking a terrific ensemble straight to the edge, but never over (not to mention eliciting the best performace by a plastic bag in film history!). A most worthy companion to such thematically similar gems as "Carnal Knowledge," "Save the Tiger," "Shampoo," "The Ice Storm" and "Election." See it, and if you have teenagers, take them along. A moving, valuable experience for all.