Rating: 
Summary: The Purpose of Beauty
Review: As I scrolled down the screen, looking at the various remarks made by everyone, I noticed a few that had a mark of one star. I mena no offense to these people, but I don't think that they got the full message of this movie. Unlike what most flim critics say, this movie is not about "the corruption of the American Dream," nor is it about people being "cold and callous" to each other, nor about drugs, pornography, lusting after children, etc etc etc. This is a movie about stopping life to appreciate the beauty in it. All of the people in the movie has problems, very true, BUT it is important to note that if a person does not exagerate some of the actions in a movie, many people (such as it is evidenced by some of the replies to the movie on this very page) will miss the point. It is very easy to walk into a movie and be offended. It is another matter to be affected, or taught by it. THAT was the point of this movie. To teach people. To tell them that there is beauty out their and that we shouldn't live fake lives, we should stop, look around us, and enjoy every minute of our life. Because, like Lester says: "I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life". THAT is the message.
Rating:
Summary: Great on many levels
Review: My first thoughts when walking out were ;This is one of thegreatest films of all time. Truely a bold statement, but hey it wonbest picture so I'm not alone. The story is basic enough, dysfunctional family, marital problems, and fear of breaking the comfort zones that we all live in. But there is something greater that Kevin Spacey brings to this movie and thats the evolution of Lester (the lifeless husband at the start of the movie). My first thoughts were those that were given by his daughter Jane in the opening scene; pathetic. However after meeting one of Janes friends Lester is sent realing as life is pumped back into him for the first time in years. And that is the beauty of this film, the dramatic change that Lester goes through. I won't ruin the movie, but if you like stories where you witness the revival of the soul, then this is a must see
Rating:
Summary: I WAS RIVETED...
Review: Lester Burman is having a midlife crisis, and you will enjoy every minute of it. If you are a not so average american joe, and you are going through a midlife crisis, you will probably appreciate this movie alot. Spacey, in the role of Lester, is totally amazing. I think that he is one of the amazing actors of all time. He brings Lester to life so vividly, and he speaks his lines so perfectly. Speaking of perfect, here's a slice of america that will have some people running for the door. I saw a few squirming in their seats in the theater. I think you need to sort of have a dark sense of humor, and appreciate films of all genres to really see all the beauty of this movie. You really have to do some searching in yourself and in this film to feel it's true meaning. It was filmed so beautifully, and made me think of paper bags floating through the air in a whole new way. The Script -- Amazing! I truly have to commend the script writer for turning out what is probably one of the best. almost as good as Pulp Fiction, which i found to be the best script ever. There are some really funny lines in this film, and i am glad that Kevin Spacey gets a few. He sells those lines so well. The actors -- This is acting at it's finest, from Spacey, to Benning, to even the repressed Marine living next door. Everyone in this film really gave awesome performances. Hands down, Kevin Spacey is the best. If you are a huge fan of his work, you will love this movie. and if you want to see something different, something truly unique and original -- SEE AMERICAN BEAUTY. I guarantee you will be happy you did.
Rating: 
Summary: An unsurprising symptom of a culture.
Review: "American Beauty" amounts to little more than a felicitous combination of skillfully contrived production values and purposefully directed acting put to the service of highly resonant metaphysical fraudulence -- which, of course, makes it eminently suitable for our time.
Rating:
Summary: American Beauty Rules!
Review: This is one of the most incredible movies I have ever seen in my life. I proudly admit to being an avid Kevin Spacey fan, but putting that aside this is a moving story about the tumultuous thing that we call life. To me it says that everyone has their " ups and downs" and each individual person handles them in their own private way. In the spirit of Lester Burnham himself, this movie RULES!
Rating:
Summary: Don't know what the "message" is? Well, read on...
Review: We see these people that hate each other, and it makes us feel better about our life, makes us strive to do better and overcome these problems these people are having that we might also have. We will look at our lives, and from now on we won't wanna make the mistakes that Lester did. The point is, Lester changed his life: in the process, it made him feel completely better about himself, he felt new and revitalized, wreckless abandonment was his. What he tried to tell us is that, his old life wasn't so bad, he just never realized how "beautiful" it actually was, he was too busy complaining and being unhappy about it. So this movie isnt as bad as most of you naive people say it is,it's not even remotely close, you just didnt "look closer".
Rating:
Summary: American Beauty
Review: American Beauty is by far the most intreguing film to come out in 1999. Not only were the performances great, the story itself had layer upon layer that made everything just click. Kevin Spacey does a marvelous job of portraying a middle-aged man who is fed up with his job, the only excitement in his marriage is choosing what music to listen to at dinner, and has lost touch with his once sparkle-in-his-eye daughter. Seeing his life, his moments of inspiration and the way he fights to get some dignity back in his life is truly a marvel to behold. Annette Bening's character is also just as rich, even if not so believable. Movies don't need to reflect actual life; we see enough of that every day. This movie takes a viewer inside the lives of one suburban family and says many things that I feel most people think, whether they would like to admit it or not. This is not supposed to represent actual life; it represents how life could be. And I feel this movie represents that better than any movie I've seen in ten years. I walked out of the theater feeling an aray of emotions, but mostly feeling a little better about myself for seeing this movie. Hopefully, you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Look Closer..
Review: American Beauty is a modern day tradgey. It is easy for me to see how some people can find it funny, and other appalling. The bottom line here was not so much the disfunctionality of the family but how if you look with the right perspective every little thing in life can be beautiful. How it is never too late to change, and how percious life is. Kevin Spacey's character opens narrating and states that he will be dead in less than a year. I think this clues you in on the fact that this film is not meant to be a happily ever after. As for your children seeing this and seeing a family that has grown a part and a best friend without morals... You can not shelter them forever. This film is about a reality that happens all the time in todays society. Now I am not saying it is suitable for 5 year olds but that is what ratings are for, If you are taking your children to see films that are rated R in the first place you are only getting what you are asking for... Contraversial and well written, but only appreciated by an open mind...
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent, perceptive, and engaging
Review: Here is a movie that doesn't merely entertain the audience, showing them what they want to see and happily following idealistic stereotypes about family life and relationships. The writer and director instead probe much deeper into the ties that keep friends and families together, questioning our motivations, aspirations, and convictions, and ultimately revealing answers that many of us may find unsettlingly accurate. This movie asks questions about the legitimacy of many of our social obligations, the dangers of paranoia and close-mindedness, the worth of self-happiness, and the value of appreciating all that is beautiful in a life often all too short. More importantly, each theme is carefully considered from multiple perspectives, with each side sympathetically and respectfully depicted with both humor and solemnity. Beautifully acted and filmed, American Beauty is a superbly thoughtful, powerful, relevant, as well as entertaining movie. I give it my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: A truly BEAUTY-ful AMERICAN film
Review: From its opening shot over the street to the closing line of "someday you'll understand, believe me you will" AMERICAN BEAUTY is a phenomenal film that is a satire on the American family. It has a beautifully written script and astounding acting, Kevin Spacey leads a great cast, with an ending that will leave you hungry for more and breathless. Sure some parts were a little over done, but hence the satire! HELLO! But anyway.....GO SEE AMERICAN BEAUTY and LOOK CLOSER
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