Rating: 
Summary: See it!
Review: This is one of my favorite movies ever. It is a powerful masterpeice that captures the heart and the mind through characters we can all relate to. If you have not seen this movie, you are missing one of the best films ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Great Film!
Review: American Beauty is a wonderful film: great script, great direction, great acting, great soundtrack. It is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, and perhaps my favorite movie ever. Everyone should see this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Kevin Spacey owns this movie.
Review: Which isn't an easy thing to say, since the Oscar-nominated actor is surrounded by a dream cast: powerhouses like Peter Gallagher, Chris Cooper, Alison Janney, Scott Bakula and of course Annette Bening; and rising stars like Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley and Thora Birch. All actors are at the top of their games in AB; however, the movie is Spacey's vehicle. His Lester Burnham is a sight to behold as he morphs from a weaselly middle-aged klutz into a multidimensional, full-faceted masterpiece. Forget anything else you've seen him in; this is Spacey's best work to date. The actor shines, especially when Lester, seeking "as little responsibility as possible," applies for work at a fast food joint, and buys the car of his dreams. "I rule," he declares, fist raised upward in celebration. He certainly does. Kudoes also go to director Sam Mendes for his first production: Next movie please, Sam.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: Never has a film resonated with me emotionally with such intensity as "American Beauty" has, it is a truly remarkable accomplishment that comes together like a disturbance in the universe. Although it is not the first film to deconstruct suburbia, it is most likely to the first to brilliantly combine caustic humour and profound tragedy to create a portrait of modern humanity in it's raw and most naked form. Every aspect of it amazes me, the way it's directed, acted, written and realised, it unfolds and moves in ways I never thought possible. At one point, I completely forgot I was watching movie, instead, it felt like I was exploring the soul of America and all of it's tragic flaws. "American Beauty" completely unravels the facade that surrounds society, and by the end, everything and everyone we see on screen feels so achingly real, and so sadly true, some definitive moments will be lingering in your head for days. The movie's performances are absolutely incredible, especially Kevin Spacey, who is 100% worthy of an Oscar. He portrays his character with such complexity, a simple smile leaves us in complete awe. There are many meanings and messages interwoven in "American Beauty", skillfully made with a sense of darkness and beauty, and the way they all emerge is nothing short of spectacular. This is exactly what film-making is all about, the finest of 1999.
Rating: 
Summary: A Movie With A Good Ending for a Change
Review: I have wanted to see this movie the minute I saw the Trailer. It looked like a good movie and when I finally saw it I concluded it is a great movie. It wasn't just one type of movie, it was a comedy, drama and mystery all balled into one. I especially enjoyed all the characters. The characters were people that many people could identify with. Kevin Spacey's performance was outstanding, his performance really pushed my feelings of the movie from good to terrific. I reccommend this movie for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: Im speechless. This IS the movie to see. Im listening to the soundtrack which is outstanding. This is my favorite movie. It just..I love it so much I cant speak.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, funny movie!
Review: This movie depicts modern life in the typical American suburb, and it does it in a dark, comical way. I say dark, because unfortunately what the movie depicts is sad - it's the morally corrupt society we westerners live in today. Nevertheless, it's really funny, and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a great movie to watch!
Rating:
Summary: Either a movie that will change the way you look at life...
Review: Or not.- spoiler - I have found that there are two reactions to seeing American Beauty as it was intended: Either a cathartic revelation or nothing. Some people see the movie and walk out saying, "Well - fine. Funny and a general trashing of modern american suburbia." Some people walk out - look at the leaves falling from the trees and say, "There is beauty in the world - there is hope." Beneath the superficial dissolution of the Burhnam family, American Beauty is about personal revelation and coming to grips with your place in the world. What drives the movie are pairings of characters and the relationship between them. Initially the pairs appear to be [Lester and Carolyn], [Jane and Angela], [The Fitts Family], [The Burhnam Family], and [The Jims]. Of these groups, only one has a healthy relationship at the onset of the movie: the Jims. The rest of the groups appear to have healthy relationships, but that "commercial for how normal we are" is soon shattered. The movie has two climactic scenes. The video of the bag dancing in the wind and the final minutes of the movie. I will not outline them here for the sake of anyone reading this who has not seen the movie, suffice it to say that every character in the movie - except Col. Fitts - comes to a realization, and that realization is perhaps the most powerful one that can happen to a person. The revelation is that everywhere - all around us every minute of every day - there is beauty. Not the beauty that is sold by the hollywood peddlers of image and shadowy illusion. No, we are suffused in realy beauty every day. From the clouds to the bag rustling in the wind to an ant methodically crawling its way along the window sill to low purr of a well tuned engine, even in the shock and finality of death - every day there is beauty all around us. We pass through our lives rushing headlong from one day to the next one year to the next never living out the moments in between. American beauty is about finding those moments in life that might otherwise go unnoticed and living them. Once we realize just how much beauty there is in the world we can realize that we too are beautiful. American Beauty is about finding real life - not a cheap imitation. Many people will see themselves in a character in the movie - I did - and that is what lends the movie such great power. I can empathize with Ricky's struggles and his longing for beauty in the world. To these people the movie will be a profound experience. To people who do not see themselves in a character - the movie will have less impact, but is still worth the time to see. Look closer. Slow down. Walk somewhere instead of driving. Go out and watch a sunset sometime. There is beauty out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Kevin Spacy is Excellent, but this is too OVERRATED
Review: I nearly gave this film two stars but decided to give it three because of Kevin Spacey's brilliant and Oscar worthy performance, he saves this film from disaster. Whenever the film centered on the other characters, it became slow, boring and silly. Kevin Spacey was the only reason that this film had some real juice in it. Sam Mendes could have done a lot better with a story that had some potential to begin with. I was quite depressed at the end and said to myself,'Is That It?'
Rating:
Summary: The Beauty of Film
Review: American Beauty epitomizes all the elements that can and do make film a unique art. Aside from a natural chemistry between the entire cast and a storyline that grips you to an ending that might possibly be one of the most suspenseful whodunit's ever, the photography is the real beauty. The use of juxtaposition and the subtle theme of making the ordinary beautiful are tastefully and extraordinarily captured. Not since Pulp Fiction do I think a film has so significantly raised the benchmark of ingenuity and creativity. Best movie of the year hands down.
|
