September 13, 1999

1999, 1 hr 55 min., Rated R for strong sexuality, language, violence and drug content. Dir: Sam Mendes. Cast: Kevin Spacey (Lester Burnham), Annette Bening (Carolyn Burnham), Thora Birch (Jane Burnham), Wes Bentley (Ricky Fitts), Mena Suvari (Angela Hayes), Chris Cooper (Colonel Fitts), Peter Gallagher (Buddy Kane), Scott Bakula (Jim #1), Sam Robards (Jim #2), Allison Janney (Barbara Fitts).

I was lucky enough to see American Beauty earlier this month via a free pass as a member of the Peachtree International Film Society, but I almost wish I hadn't (see next graph). The movie doesn't debut until October in wide release in the U.S., so I'll keep the review posted for the next few weeks lest you forget it!

My recommendation? Go see American Beauty! It is an eccentric yet engaging movie that one must see with others in order to have someone to discuss with afterwards, similar to another great film from this year, "Election." I want you to watch the film as soon as possible so I can discuss it with someone!

The acting is top-notch, and expect one or more to be nominated for a Golden Globe and/or Academy Award, and possibly an accolade for the movie itself as well. I'm afraid though that like 1997's L.A. Confidential, American Beauty will not receive the credit it is due come awards season. Of course, I may be speaking to soon considering how many movies are coming out this fall and winter that look absolutely stunning.

American Beauty is deservedly rated R for some language and sexual situations, but doesn't go entirely overboard with either. Yes, there are plenty of foul phrases spoken and drugs used, but nothing you haven't heard before and these actions are anything but glorified. You can expect some surprises in the "sexual situations" category.

American Beauty makes no attempt to preach a moral nor would one work because we are seeing the most extreme of every personal and family stereotype, very humorously in many cases, heavy-handed in others. The film uses so many of these extremes that in at least one character an audience member might feel connected.

If not connected to the characters, then the situations will grab you. While not moralistic, the movie does make a point of reminding us how beautiful the world is, while at the same time showing us much of what is ugly in society. I was reminded of how relaxing it can be to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and just watch the "dancing" of a piece of paper or leaves in the wind.

Despite so many quirks, I liked every character, starting with Lester Burnham, played by the always masterful Kevin Spacey. American Beauty proves that Spacey, a perennial Best Supporting Actor, can carry a film almost exclusively, as he drives the picture from the start.

It's so much fun to see a grown man able to free himself from the bonds of a boring job and overbearing wife and be able to become a teenager again as a result of a mid-life crisis, complete with fantasies of his daughter's best friend. And guys will love the character and the zeal that Spacey brings to the role, where a simple statement like "I rule!" will have men repeating the line for ages. At least Lester grows (sort of), from the dull Lester who says that "both my wife and daughter think I'm this gigantic loser" into a man who says what he thinks and realizes that "stuff" is just "stuff" and if he wants a 72 Camaro then dadgummit he's going to buy that Camaro.

Annette Bening plays Carolyn Burnham, wife to Spacey and will most likely not be a role model for the American woman. Carolyn is a "phony," a materialistic working mom, driving her Mercedes SUV and working in the garden with gloves that match the tools and her outfit. She wears a constant smile to cover her stressful existence where she slaps herself when crying as a reminder to stay strong. There really is little redeeming value in her life, and Carolyn serves as someone to root against while pulling for Lester to break free of his bondage of marriage to this woman.

I will say, though, that Bening is looking very fetching these days.

The lovely Thora Birch plays Jane Burnham, Lester and Carolyn's distant daughter who, like all teens in film, doesn't know what she wants out of life. She and her parents barely speak and she repeatedly frowns and complains when they show interest in her life. Sound like anyone you know or knew? You may not recognize Birch's name, but her resume includes Clear and Present Danger as Harrison Ford's daughter and Now and Then as the young Demi Moore.

Jane falls for next-door neighbor Ricky, played by Wes Bentley, who is a relatively new actor having only been in three other small films the last year, none of which you've probably seen. Ricky has a mysterious past, having spent a year in a mental institution for initially unknown reasons, and has an unnerving habit of filming everything around him with a sophisticated camcorder.

The good thing about using camcorders in movies nowadays is that it doesn't require the actor to stick one eye in a viewport anymore. With the wonderful new technological advances, we can still see the actor's face as they record their surroundings since they can use the mini-viewscreen.

Finally, an additional plus for American Beauty is the music, which is a perfect compliment, creating a black comedy atmosphere that makes the film. It's a score I will definitely pick up when it appears on the shelves.