Great Movie!

Rating: 10/10 (13 December 2010)

Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is unhappily married to Carolyn Burnham (Annette Benning) and needs a change in life. From an outsider perspective, it seems that Lester and Carolyn have it all. But, in reality, the Burnham's are falling apart and the family soon realizes that what they thought was a perfect, happy life, is just a boring existence. Their daughter Jane (Thora Birch) has become a typical rebellious teenager with a friend named Angela (Mena Suvari) who is just as rebellious and very self-centered.
Once Lester meets Angela, the dynamics in Lester's life change. He then begins to realize that he had been missing out on what life had to offer and becomes infatuated with Angela. He quits his job and begins to work at a local fast food restaurant and he decides to get rid of his family sedan for his dream car that he has wanted all of his life. Soon after, they get new neighbors. Colonel Frank Fits (Chris Cooper), his wife Barbara (Allison Janney), and his son Ricky (Wes Bently) move in next door. Col. Fits is a bit on the creepy side with expectations and standards that he has for wife and son. He is a homophobic and extremely strict; making his son Ricky drug test ever few months. Ricky becomes friendly with Jane pretty quick, although initially, Jane thought that Ricky was a bit strange. She soon begins to understand him and they become fast friends. Ricky loves to film everything around him and keeps his camcorder on him at all times. He also, deals drugs and so begins to deal marijuana to Lester.
Carolyn begins to have an affair with the real estate broker, Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher), her mentor and idol. She works really hard and is very dedicated to her work. But, as her home life changes, she too decided that she would try something else. Once Lester learns of the affair, he acts as if he could careless and it drives Carolyn absolutely crazy (especially when Buddy decides to break it off). She becomes almost suicidal due to her husband's reaction and Buddy's rejection.
In the end, Lester feels as if made the right decision regarding his life changes. This film was absolutely terrific! I could not take my eyes off the screen for fear that I would miss one single detail. The storyline was clear and every scene was packed with great dialog and detail.