It is not a perfect film. The Burnham’s neighbor, Col. Fritts (Chris Cooper) seems a caricatured archetype. His plays a hateful, homophobe who really carries deep rooted homosexual tendencies is too outlandish to be considered real. Though it must be said the part is played marvelously by Chris Cooper. Jane’s speech about being a freak too, may move the young kids who consider themselves the nonconformist, shy-type, but it is too after-school special for my tastes.
I’ve left out some of the best scenes and an important character, Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley). He plays the drug dealing son of Col. Fritts, who likes to record everything on his video camera. There is a moving scene in which he and Jane watch an old tape of his of a plastic bag floating through the air. It is a moving, poetic scene that conjures up thought of the futility of life and its very beauty. It is that type of movie. It creates beautiful, moving, simple scenes that bring a sense of hope to life, while at the same time, showing the ultimate horror of living it.
Article comments
1 - Quack Corleone
I'm not a fan of 'American Beauty', yet I've seen it more times than films I consider to be far better. So there's something in it that I can't quite figure out. There are the little things, like the acting (which you pointed out), and the score and the visual style. But I think you nail the major elusive quality in your first paragraph. 'American Beauty', despite being so much about death, is full of hope. Lester even dies in, what I presume is, a state of happiness and understanding. Maybe that's what keeps me coming back. (But I still donut like the film!)
Aside from all that, good review. Your analysis seems so effortless and fluid. I agree about the Colonal, too. His character detracts and distracts from the film.
2 - Eric Olsen
very nice Mat, I agree with Quack and you that on paper this should be jsut about everything I dislike in a movie, but it casts a spell. Great point about the oddness of hope as prevaling mood in a tale of such perverse bleakness
3 - Phillip Winn
COunt me in. I bought the DVD, even though I consider much of the film to be completely superficial and falsely stereotypical. It may be crap, but it's really well-made and engaging crap.
4 - Mat
Thanks folks. What I didn't mention in the review was that at the time of watching it I myself was going through a "who am I/what is my place in the world" phase. The three films mentioned seemed to be talking directly to me. Where Fight Club nailed me right in the solar plexus, American Beauty offered some hope to finding beauty in this life.
Watching it again, it doesn't seem quite so life changing, and much of it seems, well false, but it was still thoroughly engaging, and enjoyable.
5 - Audrey
I found this movie amazing in content, concept, and bold defiance for all that is politically correct. As a teenager, my future looming over me, as well as all the expectations for excellence, it is refreshing to see a movie about all things going to hell, and yet someone managing to find their own personal emotional oasis in the midst of a desert of chaos once again.
As a recovered victim of depression and suicidal tendancies, it is also wonderfull to see such a fresh outlook on life and death. Many times throughout my existence I have pondered the two states of being, the various views, and which state is desireable over the other. I was not so much happy to hear the view of Lester Burnham, however, I am a strong believer in gray matter, and it only seems just that even in death, there be no black and white.
Yes, none of the behaviors were healthy, or beneficial to anyone, long-term. However, to see someone break out of the shell society so cruelly sets around us, and cut loose, and take what THEY want to learn from it instead of what everyone else tells them to, is refreshing, and in ways bitter-sweet.
6 - Mat Brewster
Thanks for your comment Audrey. The first time I saw the movie I would have agreed with you heartily. I was in a kind of personal funk myself, and it was refreshing to see people doing what they wanted.
Its just seeing it a second time I was in a much better position in life and the selfishness in some of the characters actions stood out a little more.
7 - Danielle
This movie is amazing.
I don't think it's crap at all..I think it makes perfect sense.
It is real, and not sterotypical. I've seen it with my own eyes.
I don't know how anyone could not like this movie..the bird scene, the bag scene, and the end scene are just..they are so beautiful.
8 - Marothi Kalushi
Simply brilliant, I saw this movie on TV while flipping through the channels. I'd never heard about it before so you can imagine how I was absolutely floored by this movies unmitigated fondling of human emotions. The opening scene looked like this was one of those feel good movies that leave you feeling good but are often so cliche it hurts (I was hooked even before we got into the Burnham household because it looked like my type of movie). BUT not American beauty, this is a stereotypical yet unpredictable tale of life that leaves you satisfied but at the same time like theres something wrong with something... somewhere but you don't know what or where it is because it can't be the movie because this movie is simply brilliant.
9 - rk
I heard this title to be one of among the few must watch movies. But, when I finally saw this movie I only felt a very disturbed feeling. I allocate the failure to the story itself. I think a director has some responsibility in this society interms of a possible change frm bad to good in audience, een it may not happen. I am afraid that a teenager may watch this film and feel that he should use drugs to see the beauty of this life and elope with his girlfriend to NY if kicked out from his house. My 2 cents to the film.