Movie review: American Beauty

[MaineDolFan]

Drama from 1999.  This was on Starz last night.  I had never seen it, decided 'hey - why not.'

Starring:
Kevin Spacey ...  Lester Burnham

Annette Bening ...  Carolyn Burnham

Thora Birch ...  Jane Burnham

Wes Bentley ...  Ricky Fitts

Mena Suvari ...  Angela Hayes

I swear to God - Kevin Spacey could do a movie about being a news paper delivery man and make it entertaining.  What a great actor.  The general premise of this movie is a guy that has lost his life through obtaining "The American Dream."  Has the nice house, the attractive wife, a couple nice cars, good job, weird daughter.  In the process of buying the house, getting the jobs, etc he's lost himself.  His wife has a massive case of 'keeping up with the Jones'' syndrome and being 'better' has ruled her life.

Spacey's character has a crush on his teenage daughter's friend, played by Mena Suvari.  Using the motivation from those feelings, Spacey makes a whole lot of mid-life crisis changes.

The movie is funny, yes, but there is a serious sad feeling underneath it the whole way.   Annette Bening plays Spacey's wife and a real estate agent.  She cheats on him with another realtor ('The King' of real estate).  They are in a motel and he's pounding away at her and she's screaming "give me the royal treatment."  While funny there is a sense of sadness watching this happen, it's the slippery slope of a family that is going to fall apart.  Later in the movie, after Spacey knows his wife is cheating on him, he's talking to his neighbor and says "my wife is fucking another man."  The neighbor says "you are okay with that?"  Spacey smiles and says that he is, and he means it.  But there is a heartbreak in his eyes that you can't hide.

One of the final scenes of the movie is Annette Bening's character hugging Spacey's clothing in her closet and falling to the floor sobbing.  Very telling.

In case I am not the only person in the world that never watched this movie I don't want to spoil it.  If you haven't seen it, add it to the cue on your Netflix list. 

Maine's review/grading:
A++

[TEKGOD]

This was a great movie. I think it's pretty much the story of middle income America in suburbia. I could've done without the Wes Bentley dialogues. The rest of the movie seems poignant enough but his little poems seemed forced. Suvari was mad hot in this flick.

[Phishfan]

Great movie.

[CF DolFan]

I really hate to see families break up.  Just like in this movie ... you can see it coming well before it ever happens.

This is one of my favorite movies.

[SportsChick]

Great movie. I haven't watched it in a while, I think I should pull the DVD out

[SCFinfan]

I used to love this movie, but as I've aged a little, it's hard for me to swallow. No doubt the movie's beautiful: well shot, nice use of color, well-acted, etc.; at the same time, it's hard for me to not see that the movie is about murder, parental neglect, drug use, pedophilia, and adultery.

I don't know that the movie necessarily highlights any of those actions as good, which I would have a problem with. I just don't know if such subjects are worth an artistic exposition.

[BingeBag]

I just don't know if such subjects are worth an artistic exposition.

Wow. 

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I have seen this movie a few times and it is highly recommended. Great flick!!!!!

[Sunstroke]

I just don't know if such subjects are worth an artistic exposition.

Reality is always worth artistic exposition, imo... though I would note the distinct semantical difference between exposition and glorification.

[MaineDolFan]

I used to love this movie, but as I've aged a little, it's hard for me to swallow. No doubt the movie's beautiful: well shot, nice use of color, well-acted, etc.; at the same time, it's hard for me to not see that the movie is about murder, parental neglect, drug use, pedophilia, and adultery.

I don't know that the movie necessarily highlights any of those actions as good, which I would have a problem with. I just don't know if such subjects are worth an artistic exposition.

All of these things are part of not only our society, but every society on this planet.  Every ying needs a yang.  Most people watching this movie don't look at it as an encouragement to partake in the endeavors, but a "what are they thinking" thing.

And think about the scene when Spacey is about to nail Suvari.  She says "this is my first time" and his reality comes crashing back to Earth.  He stops and, on a dime, starts treating her as the young lady (child) that she is and shifts into parent mode.  I would like to think that most free thinking adults in that situation would do the same thing.  I think that there are a lot of positives in the movie.

[run_to_win]

I think it's pretty much the story of middle income America in suburbia.

Reality is always worth artistic exposition, imo...

*sigh*

Common is not news.  You don't hear about the 66%-75% of first time marriages that last "'til death do us part".  People don't make movies about average people living quiet peaceful lives.

I looked on youtube for intelligent, well-mannered Dolphin fans enjoying a Dolphins game.  All I found was this video: (link).  I guess it must represent all Dolphin fans.  Nevermind all the zoophilia pages that came up in the search.  You guys are sick!  

[run_to_win]

And think about the scene when Spacey is about to nail Suvari.  She says "this is my first time" and his reality comes crashing back to Earth.  He stops and, on a dime, starts treating her as the young lady (child) that she is and shifts into parent mode.  I would like to think that most free thinking adults in that situation would do the same thing.

99% of free thinking adults would have been treating her like a young lady (child) the entire time and would have never got into that situation. 

[MaineDolFan]

That is true.  But kudos to a person that realizes he is making a mistake prior to making it.

[MaineDolFan]

 You guys are sick!  

You're one of us, slick!  Welcome to the sickness!

[CF DolFan]

99% of free thinking adults would have been treating her like a young lady (child) the entire time and would have never got into that situation. 

In what society views as an adult the number is far less.  The problem is a lot of "people of an adult age"  have serious issues when it comes to making adult decisions on a regular basis. Hence there are really less adults walking around than there would appear to be.