The best film of 1999!

Rating: Null/10 (19 September 1999)

I almost never write these things, but I feel it necessary to inform movie-goers about the wonderful film "American Beauty." Hands down, this is 1999's finest film, and one of the best movies of the decade. It's simultaneously extraordinarily touching, tremendously funny, and sometimes so unbelievably real that you wonder if screenwriter Alan Ball hasn't been peeking inside of your own home. Everything about the film, from its cinematography to its dialogue to a mesmerizing performance by Kevin Spacey is excellent, but it is the uplifting attitude despite some often very weighty issues that really marks "American Beauty" as a stand-out. Many movies deal with difficult topics, but "Beauty" manages to face some horrific demons without ever leaving the audience feeling preached to or cheated. What an impressive debut for director Sam Mendes. Anyone who enjoys film must see "American Beauty."