... Look Closer

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2000)

American Beauty is One of the most bold and funny and brilliant film ever made. True/False? You decide.
American Beauty has been hailed by critics as one of the most brilliant film ever made. But by others, it has been judged as a film that breaks all the morality we stand for and praises it. You can choose whichever you like, but no one can deny the film's beauty and brilliance, not in terms of its theme maybe, but in terms of the film itself and how it presented itself.
Alan Ball, I must say, wrote one of the most coordinated screenplay I have ever seen. The film as a whole, is a story of Lester Burnham and his journey to find meaning in life and what is most important. By telling the story of his daughter Jane and their neighbor Ricky, an explanation or a translation comes into place as to what this film is about: Beauty. Ricky Fitts' observance for beauty and life helps the audience know and be connected to what is going on in Lester Burnham's head without so much exposition.
This film was Sam Mendes' directoral debut. Sam Mendes has been known for his work in the theaters. His habit of thinking theater is distictly shown throughout the film with set designs and wide-angle-camera shots that almost makes you think you're watching a play. This seems somewhat very appropriate because of Sam Mendes' style of direction with other things so that it seems to carry out and be coordinated very well.
Conrad Hall Rules. That's all I've got to say. Conrad Hall Rules. Awesome cinematography(again) by the veteran DP Conrad Hall who I think just rules.
Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bently, Mena Suvari, and Chris Cooper: Amazing. Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening I don't really have to say anything, but I would like to mention Chris Cooper. I personally think this guy deserved an Oscar nomination for his hauntingly real portrayal of the ex-US Marine. Some might disagree with me, but I think that character was supposed to be gay. I took him as a character who went through hell-hole in the Marine Corps because of his own sexuality so he did not want his son to turn up like him and somehow felt anger toward Lester for bringing this about from his son whom he dearly loves. Some might disagree with me, some might not.
Now some might say that the film trashes morality and rules we have, but I tend to disagree. If the film was saying something about that,(IF YOU DID NOT SEE THE FILM YET, STOP READING THIS PARAGRAPH RIGHT NOW!!!)Lester would have taken Angela whether or not it was her first time. In the film, the desire for Angela that Lester has is merely a driving force for him to live again rather than an overarching theme or some sort. The desire for Angela wakes up Lester's desire to live and something that he wants, almost a goal, maybe. This causes Lester to see that he can live again, to "LOOK CLOSER" and see the things that are beautiful in the world, that "It's never too late to get it back," as Lester himself said.
**** out of **** is the rating I give, and I hope that everyone can see this film to realize all the beauty that exists in the world and not just see this film as a story of a man who lusted for a high school girl, but a film about life and beauty.