Probably one of the most overrated films ever...

Rating: Null/10 (12 November 2002)

Before starting i like to say that i really enjoyed watching this film when i saw it for the first time (when it hit the cinemas, in what was it? 1999 or 2000? nevermind) but as i saw it for a 2nd and even a 3rd time the past two years...i really have to say that it is one of the most overrated films ever. 8.5 on the imdb rating pole? Thats a joke! A 6.8 or maybe 7.0 is getting closer. The only film i can remember being more overrated is The Shawshank Redemption, also a imdb favourite.
Look...Kevin Spacey is brilliant. He really is. He has what makes an actor truly great: even if the script is bad or average he can make it better. No comment on Spacey whatsoever.
But take the character of Annette Benning. So flat!! I know that it is mea nt as a parody on suburban housewifes...but this is so fake...it completely loses it's point. That wouldn't be a big problem if the personage was played buy a great actress, which Benning is certainly not. She really "overacts" too much...she should be ashamed of her self.
And the person of Colonel Frank Fitts (or what's his name)...it's just too easy to find him repulsive...an army man, well he has to be a homophobic Nazi, hasn't he! And of course he beats his son, made his wife's life a living hell, enjoys army films only and in the end he turns out to be a sort of homosexual himself!! The only answer he has for the kiss with Lester is to kill him!! That'll teach him! Welcome to Hollywoods idea of an independent artistic film!
And then there is Ricky Fitts. Do you really believe any girl would fall in love with a guy that talks such quasi-poetic nonsense!! I mean the beauty of a plastic bag...for cryin out loud!!!! Get a hold an your self...no wonder Colonel Fitts send him to an institution!!
All i want to say is that this film pretends to give a "real" look on suburban life, but all it does is to give us a fake Hollywood view on "the normal man". For a real version of suburban life and the problems of real people i would like to refer to Todd Solondz brilliant flicks Happiness and Storytelling. Watch them and review your opinion on American Beauty, thats what i say.
For the second time: don't get me wrong, it is a nice film to watch on a Saturday night...but five academy awards is just too many credit. Amen.