Few Movies Are This Haunting

Rating: Null/10 (11 November 1999)

"American Beauty" is a most remarkable amalgam, combining powerful elements from a number of well-loved films. Fans of "Lolita" will immediately recognize the tortured agony of Kevin Spacey's character, drawn like a moth to a love than can never be. There are shades of gritty movies like "KIDS" and "Fun" as the younger members of the cast struggle on the edge of their developing lives. Finally, Annette Bening's shrill Mrs. Burnham might remind some of the loose cannons "Thelma and Louise", attempting to get her life together while having neither the ability nor the intelligence to do so. As one writer once said about "KIDS", "American Beauty" is a film that remains riveted to the viewer's consciousness long after the credits roll. The agonizing monotony of suburban life--from which there is no escape. The torture of a human being caught between his public persona and his true self. The onset of youthful sexuality. Each incendiary element combines in "American Beauty" to form an unforgettable tapestry. Sombre though the premise may seem, there are some wonderful light moments. Mena Suvari offers a funny and most refreshing take on sexual objectification in one of her monologues. Even more hilariously, Thora Birch obsesses about her breast size and saves her allowance for augmentation--ironic considering the character she played in "Now and Then" was similarly concerned about her cups, even filling balloons with vanilla pudding to augment her bust. One or two problems plague the script: Kevin is inextricably drawn to Mena, yet no attempt is made to challenge the tired Western stereotype that adult man cannot love teenage girl. And the ending of the film suggests a punishment that does not fit in with the overall message of the movie. However, all in all, "American Beauty" is a treasure of a film and a must-see. And even if you don't like films that make the viewer think, Thora and Mena doff their tops, making everything worthwhile.