Rating: 
Summary: A Middle Aged Guy
Review: I thought it would be worth writing about the mixed reception this film has gotten. Some love it, some hate it. It generally splits along male/female lines, but there are plenty of exceptions to that, so rule out a simple guy/chick flick distinction.The movie has a number of disturbing elements, and I think these are at the core of the differing reviews. Consider these: An older guy with a teenage girl
A likable character that is also a drug dealer
The failure of an idealize American family
A highly materialistic yet unsuccessful real estate agent
Extramaterital sex from the wife, and not from the husband
A successful guy in a job quits, despite family obligations
A young girl who has mastered manipulation with her good looks
A stereotypical Marine Corp father that you would like to like If you don't like movies with 'bad' endings, this movie lets you know at the beginning that you are in for it. Add to this a litany of issues that it presents, and there's little doubt some people will simply give up on this film in the middle. They will not find anything redeeming or even interesting in it, and they may even want to turn it off before it ends. But there's a rub. There are lots of movies like this, including Gone With the Wind. And they don't exhibit this kind of mixed response. And that's where the difference is most noticable between this film and the others. Its the specifics of the issues that the movie presents that cause people problems, not just the apparent negative overall plot or story line. I think this film simply hits too close to home for some people. I'm not suggesting that people are denying they are really like these characters. But this movie more than suggest that what passes for the American dream, that of a good job, with home and family, may not be enough for everyone, not without some serious soul searching. That's disturbing, and maybe its a message some people won't want to hear. For others of us, its something we suspected or have known all along. I don't mean that we would pass up a good job, and that home and family aren't good things, they just may not be enough without some kind of strife. The movie is refreshing in the way it exposes and acknowledges this, and even though we must endure a spectical of several people that have to deal with loss and change, they generally do find redemption. And if they don't find redemption, we as the audiance can see they had the opportunity for it. Because of this, we are uplifted. My suggestion is to watch the movie and don't pass judgement on it until its over. Then watch it again. Its best to remember that is just a movie, and not real life. Real life is boring and you don't want a movie about real life. Listen to the score, and try and enjoy the better moments of the film, and ignore or overlook those that disturb you. If you are lucky, like myself and many others, you will get a positive feeling of acknowledgement throughout the movie, and redemption at the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Hollow, man.
Review: If it wasn't for the cinematography and acting, would this be considered a great movie? I don't think so. To me it's mostly style over substance, and derivative and imitative as well. Examples: A middle-aged suburban guy discovers his life is empty and his job is demeaning. Wow, there's a new one. Second, the teenage daughter hates her parents and feels unwanted. Gee, how original. Third, the wife is frigid and controlling - there's some imiginative thinking for you! And the kid next door is a loner and considered weird, but turns out to be sensitive and wise. Again, what originality.
Most every scene is predictable and hackneyed. Example: The retired Marine next door is greeted by his gay neighbors with a welcome basket (fruit, of course). The SECOND he opened the door for these two gay neighbors I knew the tough-guy, homophobic Marine would turn out to be secretly gay himself! Trite and obvious.
And what about the similarities with Fast Times at Ridgmont High?? Yes, you heard me correctly. Examples: The most beautiful girl in Fast Times (Phoebe Cates) claims to be sexually active, yet is not! A.B., same story with the luscious blond cheerleader. In American B., we have an honest, ordinary guy searching for meaning and his place in life (Kevin Spacey). In F. T., same role played by Judge Reinhold. Isn't Kevin Spacey just playing the grown-up Judge Reinhold? In American B., there's the dark-haired loner dude, who finds true love in the end. In F.T., same story with the wise-cracking Italian kid!
The only character in American Beauty who pulled me in and made me care, the only character who was unique and intriguing, was the Marine's wife. What a lonely, defeated woman. I wanted to know more about her and a lot less about the other characters.
And the ending involves a gun and a shooting. Boy, that's a first! No originality there at all - very disappointing.
In American Beauty the cinematography is glorious and the cast is magnificent, but the movie is a beautiful, hollow shell.
Rating:
Summary: Wanted
Review: Hello, I am a teacher of English in Germany and I am planning to talk about the movie American Beauty in class. This is why I am looking for English-speaking people (preferably [American] teenagers aged 17-19) who would like to take up an e-mail correspondence with my pupils in order to talk about the movie.
I believe that it will be a very rewarding experience for my pupils to get in contact with you.
If you are interested in finding a friend in Germany and/or in talking about American Beauty, please contact me as soon as possible.
Here is my e-mail address:
niqui@t-online.de
Rating: 
Summary: WOW !
Review: Wow ! I don't know what else to say. This is now my favorite movie of all time. It Rules !
Rating:
Summary: You either get it or you don't
Review: Think about the best movie you ever saw. What made it your favourite? Was it the acting, the plot, the direction? The best movies I've seen had all of these, but they done something else, more importantly, they touched me.
American Beauty is one of these greats. It has depth, it made me think, question, and maybe appreciate life a little more.
It's not a movie that spoke to everyone though, and that's fair enough. But hopefully, like Lester, everything fell into place, and for just a few seconds you realised how amazing life, and this movie, really is.
Rating: 
Summary: Come On!
Review: American Beauty is rediculous and just another bad flop made in today's days I really cannot stand this film. And this is supposed to sort of portray an american family that is just a bunch of bull. Please somebody write up a good film sooner or later!
Rating:
Summary: favorite movie
Review: this movie is definitely one of my all-time favorites. the cinematography is breath-taking, the acting is impeccable, and the plot is engaging.
i would highly, HIGHLY recommend this movie any day!
Rating:
Summary: This Movie is an "American Beuty"
Review: The Daring of this movie starts in one of the first lines in the movie "I'll be dead in a Year". Not Many movies take a [beyond th grave] aproach, but this movie does,and they do it well. It's about a man who realizes how pathetic and boring his life is. From that moment on this man goes on a path of civil rebellion, commenting on it from beyond the grave. This movie show's how important life is, and how much we should treasure it.
Rating:
Summary: This is an Ichiro of the Holywood movies
Review: Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle Mariners entertained us this year, not with the number of homeruns he hit, but with many infield hits, base steals,and shows of his strong arm. No pitchers struck him out often, either. This was a rare treat for a baseball aficionado like myself. Recent Holywood movies are replete with fantasies or mega-scale spectacles. This movie is a story of the life of a middle-class American family. It is an Ichiro of movie.
It will give a sheer delight for those who appreciate details. God is in the details, as someone said (Michael Crichton's "Disclosure"). I saw this movie several times back to back and still enjoy it from time to time. Direction is good, considerate and tender, and so is camera. Storytelling is excellent (every scene is needed and no scenes are wasteful), and so are dialogues and the character growths. Resolution is extraordinary and compelling. Casting is super. Reading its Shooting Script (the same title, also available from amazon.com) gave me an added delight. No wonder it was given Academy Awards in five categories. Now, this version comes with a bonus footage, which is also entertaining and instructive. This movie is a rare treat for those who love sutleties of human emotions. Yes, I rate this movie five stars, because this is the highest grade that is allowed. ( I seldom give such rave reviews. I do not trust movie critics, either, especially after they put down that excellent movie "Halfmoon Street" (Sigourney Weaver and Michael Cain), which is not even available from amazon.com.)
Rating:
Summary: "The Years Best Movie"
Review: Lester Burnham a person whoÂ's meaningless life drags his whole family played by his wife (Annete Bening) and his daughter (Thora Birch) into a massive destruction after taking a liberate rebelious form of character.
While suffering serious changes in his life and paying less attention too his slight inmoral behavior he doesnÂ't realizes that too much liberty has its own consecuences.
This movie is a "Brilliant Masterpiece" a combination of laughs and drama, but the best of all is, the realistic that the movie turns out to be.
The actors play their roles so deeply making this film not just into another movie, but an "Instant Classic". Guaranteed to touch you in the most meaningfull way.
Thanks to the clever outrageous working habilities of Sam Mendes, he is capable of delivering a film so "Powerfull" that would make you look life in a different way. "Beautifully!!!"
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