People..please, no more telling me I misunderstood the Football Factory, if one more person even thi...
People..please, no more telling me I misunderstood the Football Factory, if one more person even thinks about saying it..I'm 32, I've got GCSE's in pottery..I understand sh*t British films just fine <flounces off in flurry of petticoats>
Member since:27.07.2000
Reviews:170
Members who trust:78
One of the most fantastic directorial debuts that you are likely to see. A wonderfully refreshing film, that stands tall amongst the dross that Hollywood has been heaping out since the early eighties. Probably no coincidence that the director is British and from a theatre background. The performances are outstanding, and i find myself struggling to single out any one member of the cast for particular praise. The story itself, concerning one mans struggle to find himself amongst a crumbling family and career is one of the bravest screenplays for a very long time, dealing with many difficult issues, haunting you long after you've finished the film, causing you to ask questions of yourself.
The direction is superb, rarely innovative, but incredibly involving, drawing you in deeper and deeper, until you find yourself totally immersed in what is, at once, a very real look at life, and then complete fantasy.
The cinematography is wonderful, showing off the beautiful autumnal locations and lending a very sultry edge to the fantasy sequences.
The score is superb, with Thomas Newmans atmospheric music wrapping itself around you in a very impressive use of surround sound. All of the non-original tracks fit seamlessly and it was nice to hear The Who so soon after 'The Limey'....but I digress.
I'm loathe not to say too much about the story or the characters, because just maybe you've escaped the hype and publicity, and i wouldn't want to spoil a thing. A wonderful film, from top to bottom, and i await Alan Ball's next screenplay, and Sam Mendes next turn in the directors chair, with baited breath.
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Production Year: 2007 - Drama - Director: Mike Binder - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Mike Binder
Production Year: 1998 - Drama - Director: Carl Franklyn, Carl Franklin - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Meryl Streep, William Hurt, Renee Zellweger, Tom Everett Scott, Nicky Katt, Lauren Graham
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
And, would you believe I nearly called mine 'Look Closer' on the other side! Well, again I totally agree, but you didn't write much in those days did you. ...and you ramble so well?! *ramble* *ramble*!
Howiemon 17.03.2001 16:33
This is the third review of American Beauty I've found on Ciao entitled "Look Closer" - mine included, but this is the best! Great writing...more please!
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journey through life in suburban America.Look closer at fortysomething ad man Lester Burnham and his status-seeking wife, Carolyn, as their marriage and lives slowly un...
From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street,American Beautymoves with ... more
a mesmerising confidence and acuity epitomised by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Marking the feature film directorial debut of award-winning theatre director Sam Mendes ... more
this funny moving and shocking journey through life in suburban America follows the trials and tribulations of Lester (Kevin Spacey) and Carolyn (Annette Bening) ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![American Beauty [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78526734.jpg "American Beauty [DVD] [2000]")
Dec 28th, 2000
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