An amazing, life changing, film

Rating: 10/10 (4 June 2005)

The plot to 'Beauty' seems simple. Lester (Spacey) is bored with his life. His once solid marriage is now a complete charade. His teenage daughter despises him. And he's on the verge of losing his job. On the outside, his life seems like the perfect snapshot of an American family. But we learn quickly that Lester and everyone around him is far from happy. He goes through life in a daze, trying hard to care, and failing miserably.
However he is wrenched out of sedation when his daughter brings home her free-spirited best friend, Angela. Suddenly Lester's life is filled with new purpose, and he goes about trying to correct his life and reclaim the joyous and carefree ways of his youth. Along the way all those around him also embark of journeys of self discovery. However it doesn't take long for Lester to realize the beauty of the life he has now. This may sound like a typical self-actualization movie, but it is far from it.
American Beauty is, simply put, a phenomenal film. It's a family drama, a black comedy, a love story, and a mystery, all at the same time. it dares you to categorize it. It's impossible. Moments of side-splitting laughter are juxaposed with moments of despair so sad they are almost painful to watch. The script is an exercise in restraint, and each line seems carefully selected. You learn more about each character with a look than most movies can explain in their entirety.
The acting is also superb. From Lester himself, to the three roles played by teens, each one seems as real as your next-door neighbor. They are full fleshed out people. Even small roles seem as if they could walk right out of your television. You'll find pieces of yourself in each one.
This is a movie that can change your life. If you haven't seen it, open your mind and take a look, because this is a film that will touch your heart, soul, and mind. If you let it.