Spectacular

Rating: 9/10 (30 December 1999)

Where to begin? How about with the obvious, this is the first movie since "Life Is Beautiful" to make me go "Wow" at the end. This movie totally floored me. I wanted to ask the manager to play it again, just for me. Kevin Spacey gives a wonderful performance as an Ozzy who's rediscovered himself, and Annette Bening is terrific as the Harriet who doesn't like Ozzy's newfound happiness. Wes Bentley shines in this movie as a cross between Boo Radley and Jimmy Stewart from "Rear Window". Thora Birch and Mena Suvari do a wonderful job, Thora as a typical teenager who is oblivious to her own beauty, and Mena as a self-absorbed teen model (which, by the way, I swear I went to high school with this character). Chris Cooper deserves many kudos for his potrayal of Ricky's father, Col. Fitts. Even Peter Gallagher was good in this movie. The cinematography is excellent, with colors made to both blend in and stand out. Many kudos to the entire cast and crew. If this film doesn't get evey Oscar coming to it, it will be the second year in a row that Dreamworks was robbed of its Oscar. Bottom line: this film is flawless, or damn near.