Insight into a typical American life

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2005)

American Beauty gives a deep insight into the lives of Americans on a different levels. And more importantly it emphasises with God's beauty that is all pervasive around us while we are blinded owing to materialistic aspirations.
A typical American family of Burnham's consisting of Lester (Kevin Spacey), Carolynn (Annette) and their daughter Jane (Thora Birch). Marriage is superfluous. Daughter is confused teenager who falls in love with neighbour Ricky (Wes). The pro-sake life of Lester suddenly gets spiced up when he falls head-over-heels over his daughter's friend Angels (Mena Suvari) and re-discovers his passion for life, a reason for existence and more importantly his identity.
All the character's parts are well-etched out. The portrayal of Lester's re-kindling his energy is portrayed effectively, as subtle and as convincingly as one falls in first love.
And narrative voice-over words of Kevin Spacey are extremely spiritual yet convincing. The movie did not register well the first time I watched it. However last week when it was aired on telly, and could see the subtle messages the movie is interlaced with.