Rating: 
Summary: Kids Say the Darndest Things
Review: Well, what can I say that 273 other reviewers haven't? Probably very little, but here goes.This film is Risky Business and The Graduate for the YUPPIE set; and that's not a bad thing. It has the re-coming of age qualities of both films. Lester can't live another day in the charade of his somnambulate existence. Luckily (or maybe not), there are new neighbors in Pleasantville. Ricky, the 18 year old kid next door, becomes Lester's idol. He is one who appears to have life figured out. Don't stress; lie only when necessary; and placate the enemy, while laughing inside. There's also a nod to sex, lies and videotape; with Ricky an avid voyeur, but more out of curiosity than perversion. It's as if he is an calm, objective alien; taking notes on a typical family. But as the poster reads and the camcorder zoom exhibits; look closer. Americana is crumbling inside. This is nothing new. Any Freudian would tell you that (his hysterical patients were seemingly normal housewives bursting inside from years of supression). What makes this film work is the wonderful script, incredible acting, haunting cinematography, and timing. It's as if it needed to be made right now. You say you want a revolution? Well, here you go. You don't need to hop on a bike with Peter Fonda. Just give up. Quit the job you hate. Do what comes naturally; and most of all, be yourself. Sometimes we need teenagers to teach us this. When they're not posing for their friends, they're natural. They're alive. They're dreaming.
Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: This movie shows much of what's wrong with America: alienation, sexual hypocrisy, obsessive careerism, homophobia, the failure of our drug war, and more. Kevin Spacey is once again excellent, and Annette Benning, who I don't think I have seen before, was remarkable. All of the characters are to some degree stereotypes, but the actors are usually successful at going beyond them. I can't give this 5 stars because the tone, a mix of satirical comedy and intense emotional drama, didn't quite work, and because much of the material was lifted from older works such as Lolita. It succeeds at showing us some of the rotten core of American life, but it isn't a great contribution to art.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated, but well done
Review: American Beauty wants to be subversive, so it throws in "dark" themes such as sexual obsession, and closeted homosexuality. But the subject matter, middle-aged malaise in suburbia (specifically white/breeder suburbia) is old hat , and was better explored in Ang Lee's exquisite "The Ice Storm." We are in cliche land here, so enduring, satisfying love between a married middle-aged man and career minded woman is unthinkable: needless to say, the only hope for the future lies in the love between teenagers: the couple's daughter, and the drug dealing neighbor boy (but with savings of 40 grand he IS a successful business man!) played by Wes Bentley, & Thora Birch. Kevin Spacy is always watchable, and does a nice, work-man like job here. Annette Benning plays the uptight, career driven ball-busting wife on one note: shrill. Her's was undoubtedly the most overrated performance in '99. Chris Cooper does a nice job as the proverbial villain: ex-military, homo hating, wife-child abusing, neo-nazi closet case (whew, Alan Ball managed to get in every last cliche with this cardboard character: Hey Alan, ever consider that homophobes are simply hateful, and not secretly gay?) I can see why this movie seemed so great given the mindless drivel that Hollywood routinely spews forth, and yet, when realizes that the theme of this movie is basically a long rant against heterosexual suburban life, the content becomes so predictable! Are surburban famlies dysfunctional? You betcha! Have we, as a society come up with a better system? Not yet.
Rating:
Summary: my life as a corporate whore
Review: i go to work to sell my soul, and thinking i now numb, cold. but as i sat and saw this movie it reminded me of what i forgot, the inate beauty in life around us in the city and all around us is american beauty.
Rating: 
Summary: Not entertaining
Review: How can anyone give this movie 5 stars? My wife and I watched it and I felt like apologizing to her about halfway through. We were not entertained at all. If you like dark twisted movies, you'll love this one. For the rest of us, I'd recommend saving your money.
Rating:
Summary: This "Beauty" is pretty ugly!
Review: Usually I can find something of redeeming value in a movie, but honestly, I did not see it in this one. I feel as if the American public has been brainwashed into thinking that this movie deserved an Academy Award, but to me it was a dreary recital of the most selfish, self-centered, and downright dysfunctional people I have ever seen! To me, it did not seem artistic. It was just downright weird! I realize I am in the minority, but I really wish someone had told me how bad this movie was and I would not have wasted the time or money to rent and watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Once or Twice in A Lifetime
Review: In my 50 years of movie going, I have experienced one or two films that have changed my life. A/B is one of them, and The Graduate was the last. This film captures the moment of our time, good and bad, just as The Graduate did in the 60s. In fact, it could be argued that the two main characters in American Beauty are the grown up main characters in The Graduate. This movie is simply flawless in its minimalism. It has affected me and a good friend in exactly the same way: we watch and cry at the brilliance each time we see it. It shows the sociopathic illness in our society and yet enlightens us to its beauty; rather than arousing fear or pesimissm, it demonstrates the incredible joy of life. This is one film that lives up to its reputation.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishingly brilliant
Review: This is one of the finest films I have seen in 42 years of life and film viewing. And it is the quintessential example of film as art and entertainment. I was moved beyond speaking when I first saw it in the theatres, which is amazing for a chatterbox like me. I did not say one word for almost an hour after it ended...I felt that anything I could say would be inadequate to express how I felt. And indeed, that remains true today, even after seeing it a half a dozen times. Art's job is to change the way we see things, to speak to our deepest selves, and move us. AB is art. I have no complaint, I can list no flaw. This film is, in my view, utter perfection. And by the way... to all the reviewers, both negative and positive... I don't feel that this movie was really so much about "the dark underbelly of American suburbia" - that was just the frame work. This movie was all about, in the end, what Lester Burnham says: being grateful for "every moment of my miserable little life. You may not understand now...but you will." The moment when I knew that this film was going to be something way, way beyond just an entertaining film was when Ricky shows her the video of the plastic bag... that was one of the most amazing moments in American cinema. And this film has become a de facto litmus test for my friendships: fortunately, everyone I love "got" it... bigtime.
Rating:
Summary: "VIDEO IS A POOR EXCUSE I KNOW BUT IT HELPS ME REMEMBER..."
Review: "I NEED TO REMEMBER." [Wes Bentley] We all need to remember this movie. AMERICAN BEAUTY--the brilliant title, script, and direction; the amazing cinematography and sound effects; the dazzling visual effects, and enthralling music; plus the incredible acting of Kevin Spacey, Wes Bentley, Thora Birch, Chris Cooper, Mena Suvari, Annette Bening and Allison Janney all work together to make this film deservingly win BEST PICTURE. How this film successfully accomplishes that there is indeed "so much beauty in the world" is puzzling considering the plot; what a paradox. This movie is truly a work of art. Every American should own AMERICAN BEAUTY. This and one other movie I've seen are so brilliant that I would actually buy the script; it definitely should be made into a book. Don't take me as a viewer that sees this as the most flawless movie ever made; because I don't. After taking over 10 pages of notes I found areas that didn't make sense. One of the most unrealistic components is Jane being a cheerleader; she is not the type. So naturally that would affirm that her friendship with the superficial, self-absorbed Angela would never have happened. [Come on, we've all been to high school; we know things just don't work that way.] Secondly, the "King" of real-estate having an affair with a competitor in the middle of a highly publicized divorce in a cheap hotel room also doesn't fit. Thirdly, Ricky's Dad finding the one brief moment of tape of Lester lifting weights when Ricky has been filming Jane 90% of the time was extremely unrealistic. Fourthly, Ricky's Dad confronting Lester in such a manner was totally out of his military character; nevertheless it was a very effective intense scene. So then why do you give it 5 stars if you see so many flaws, you ask? Because even with the flaws AMERICAN BEAUTY is mesmerizing and definitely Beautiful. The Beauty supersedes the tiny flaws that I found and really made me think. The movies that make the viewer think--truly think, are usually the best movies. Because of this and countless more reasons, I will buy a copy and keep it in my video collection forever. As Kevin Spacey, who so deservingly won Best Actor says at the end: [we the viewers] "have no idea what I am talking about I'm sure. But don't worry, you will someday." This movie is one of the best you will ever see. "SPECTACULAR!"
Rating:
Summary: Possibly worst Academy-award-winning film ever
Review: I don't understand why people like this movie so much - to me it is just cliche after cliche, a sophomoric view of suburban life - a view of American suburbia by people who don't know it. I thought Kevin Spacey was good, and there are some fine parts, but the rave reviews are nothing more than an indication of the dumbing-down of the English-speaking world. To my mind, this is the worst "Best Picture" Academy award-winner since "Out of Africa".
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