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Plot:
A biting, penetrating and often humorous take on contemporary life in suburban America, Lester Burnham becomes intrigued by a young girl named Angela, and this fascination sparks him to make some majo...( read more
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American Beauty Recent Reviews
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:December 1, 2008...look closer
Rated: (R)
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Genres: Drama
Casts : Kevin Spacey, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Annette Benning, Chris Cooper, Peter Callagher
"It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that's the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... and I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in."
THE MOVIE OUTLINE
"Lester Burnham is suffering a mid-life crisis that affects the lives of his family, which is made up of his super bitch of a wife Carolyn and rebelling daughter Jane, who hates him. Carolyn is a real estate agent, a little too wrapped up in her job, who takes on an affair with business rival Buddy Kane. Meanwhile Jane seems to fall in love with Ricky Fitts, the strange boy next door, who is a drug dealer/documentarian and lives under a roof governed by a very strict marine father and a speechless mother. Lester's mid-life crisis causes him to drastically change his life around when he quits his job and works at a fast food restaurant. He starts working out to gain the attention of Angela, a friend of Jane's, who brags about her sexual exploits every weekend. Lives change and not for the best. "
MY APPRAISAL
Do you know those feeling when you thought the movie was bad, but as time goes by you're starting to miss the movie and think that it shouldn't be that bad after all? I used to think American Beauty's highly overrated and I just couldn't see what's so special about this movie except its gorgeous poster and the memorable flower scenes? I thought this movie's ridiculous, had loads of revolting scenes, and the casts are creepy since I hated Thora Birch's role here. I mean let's forget those thoughts and it was all because I wasn't in a real good mood and now that I got my sanity back I realize how stupid those thoughts really were.
MOST BEAUTIFUL & STYLISH PICTURE EVER PRODUCED
American Beauty was superbly written, acted, and directed and it's a very pathetic thing to finally see them this late. Kevin Spacey delivered a strong performance as Lester Burnham like noone else did and his performance was inimitable. We can feel how devastated Lester was and how exasperating his life with all those desperation and emptiness. Lester's enormous depsperation takes him to acts of delusion and halluscinations. I always admire stories about what's running through one's head such as Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. Fascinating, bring on some more!
The entire casts are terrific and credits to all of them (even the creepy Thora Birch, I don't know wether she actually is creepy or simply the role she played). With so many memorable quotes and extremely beautiful scenes, American Beauty is an artistic work of perfection.
Ricky Fitts: "I was filming this dead bird."
Angela Hayes: "Why?"
Ricky Fitts: "Because it's beautiful." -
MCT:November 30, 2008Clever, witty life-story drama about a disillusioned worker/husband/father who hungers for some excitement in his life.
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MCT:November 28, 2008
''It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that's the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... and I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in.''
Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation for his daughter's attractive friend. While his daughter forms a bond with the new boy in her neighborhood...
Kevin Spacey: Lester Burnham
Annette Bening: Carolyn Burnham
American Beauty right from the start tells me form the perfect narration by Kevin Spacey that this is going to be a powerful movie and boy is it...
A lesson in life, this comes so close into a glimpse of what life is. Character's are not cut outs but living breathing souls that you care about, that you can relate too. All the cast including director Sam Mendes have succeeded in crafting a world which reflects our own so well.
The score, the music all add to the beauty of it. Powerful camera work which is neatly shot and smooth. Transitions flow consistently, while the story shifts between characters to obtain diversity.
Kevin Spacey was phenomenal in this, he really was. As was Wes Bentley who I've seen in Ghost Rider, this however, his portrayal of his character Ricky Fitts, shows me what a good actor he is. His weirdness and way of shooting things is interesting while his relationship with Jane is touching indeed.
I'm glad the ending was realistic and it added a more meaningful punch to a masterpiece that is defined by it's careful grasp at it's subject, life... -
MCT:October 6, 2008
Lester Burnham: "I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all, it stretches on forever, like an ocean of time... For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout camp, watching falling stars... And yellow leaves, from the maple trees, that lined my street... Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper... And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand new Firebird... And Janie... And Janie... And... Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday."
Lester Burnham is suffering a mid-life crisis that affects the lives of his family, which is made up of his super bitch of a wife Carolyn and rebelling daughter Jane, who hates him. Carolyn is a real estate agent, a little too wrapped up in her job, who takes on an affair with business rival Buddy Kane. Meanwhile Jane seems to fall in love with Ricky Fitts, the strange boy next door, who is a drug dealer/documentarian and lives under a roof governed by a very strict marine father and a speechless mother. Lester's mid-life crisis causes him to drastically change his life around when he quits his job and works at a fast food restaurant. He starts working out to gain the attention of Angela, a friend of Jane's, who brags about her sexual exploits every weekend. Lives change and not for the best.
American Beauty may (and should) go down as the most unparrallelled movie of its time. This movie, which could not be more difficult to explain to one who hasn't seen it, grapples the viewer from the first instance. This film succeeds not only because of the unbelievable script, but because the fact that when the film ends, you DO acknowledge the performances of the film (Benning is unbelievable), but seem to put individual performances aside to the movie itself. Few movies place you in the surreal-yet-too-real environment that this film seems to put you in. Watching this movie, you will become immersed in this family and what occurs to them, despite the fact that they seem to be the most ordinary family a mind could imagine. Whether or not Spacey deserved the Oscar should be irrelevant - the story behind this movie should be remembered for ages. -
MCT:September 20, 2008
"This isn't life, it's just stuff. And it's become more important to you than living. Well, honey, that's just nuts." ♥
Kevin Spacey is a genius! -
MCT:January 9, 2009
great film!!!it's a complete narrative transported onto screen...nothing bad you can say about the film.you can criticize the characters all you want!!
Comments
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soadrocks125posted 83 days ago -
Anyone else having trouble adding this film to any list they've created?
posted 297 days ago -
I brought this movie along time ago but never seen it till now lol.
posted 460 days ago -
No doubtedly one of the best modern movies, and my absolute favourite so far. American Beauty casts light on various aspects and is very daring, which I applaud. It was magical the first time I watched it. Nothing but praise for this movie from me!
posted 509 days ago -
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"I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday." Ang ganda! ^*^
posted 571 days ago -
I feel so bad. I missed the last 30 minutes of this...can someone fill me in??????? please!!! I listened to it, but didn't understand what happended.
posted 662 days ago -
ace film first time i watched this film i ended up getin some g13 seeds and growin them had me a gd few months of just smileing even when the police found my othere plants in my shed lol but that was then i dont do it anymore and feel beeter for it ,
posted 692 days ago -
easily one of the greatest modern films ever made. even one of THE GREATEST films ever made. i love it too much.
posted 710 days ago -
This was an amazing movie and is definitely one that everyone should see. It is quite easily my favourite movie of all time at the moment. The psychological traits of the charachters are brilliant and you almost "think along" witht he charachters as the plot unfolds and at times feel their emotion...
posted 735 days ago
