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Production Year: 1999 - Drama - Director: Sam Mendes - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over more

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AMERICAN BEAUTY tells the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a suburban father who snaps when he becomes disgusted with his stale, repetitive existence. Burnham lets us know...
more...in voice-over from the film's opening that this is the day he dies (using the SUNSET BOULEVARD flashback approach), a technique that adds an inevitable tension to the proceedings and keeps the story moving forward at all times. On a whim, Lester quits his job and begins a regression into young adulthood, lifting weights, smoking pot, doing nothing, and discovering the overflowing sexuality of his 16-year-old daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). His wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening), has her own midlife crisis of sorts. A real estate agent, she experiences a youthful awakening when super-agent Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher) seduces her repeatedly. Meanwhile, Jane (Thora Birch), the Burnhams' daughter, is pursued by Ricky (Wes Bentley), the mysterious boy next door who carries a video camera around with him at all times. When Ricky's militaristic father, Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper), discovers something potentially horrifying on one of his tapes, and when Carolyn's rage for Lester's actions boils over, the time bomb finally explodes.





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American Beauty DVD Review
A review by michaelcrook on American Beauty DVD
January 14th, 2001


Author's product rating:   American Beauty DVD - rated by michaelcrook

Did you enjoy it? Liked it 
Story Good 
Characters / Performances Outstanding 
Special Effects Unmemorable 
How does it compare to similar films? Outstanding 

Advantages: Very intelligent observational comedy .
Disadvantages: May be a little too dark for some .

Recommend to potential buyers: yes 

Full review
I was give this DVD as a Christmas present and after watching I am extremely grateful as this is a very though provoking film.

The story basically revolves around the last few months of a middle-aged man's (Kevin Spacey) life. However, this short description does not even come close to summarising just how much this 2-hour movie has to say.

In many places this is an extremely disturbing analysis of the American dream gone horrible wrong. In some places it is incredibly funny.

The cast generally superb and I can only assume that the inclusion of Peter Gallagher with a small role is a deliberate homage to this drawing distinct comparisons to another of his films, Sex Lies and Videotape.

It is almost essential that this movie is watched more than once otherwise there is serious risk of missing the point. After all, the movies slogan is 'look closer' and if you do you will be rewarded.

The DVD has a few extras but as with most DVD’s most of them appear to be short clips picked from existing TV shows and are not particularly interesting.

The behind the scenes featurette is one of the most boring I have seen on the DVD and offers little extra insight into the film. I recommend that you spend your time reading the sleeve insert by Sam Mendes instead, it's much more interesting.

The DVD's quality appears to be very crisp and the sound is noticeably better than many other DVD's I have watched. Its Anamorphic as well which is always a bonus.

If you like your black comedies to be pitch black then watch this and prepare to be disturbed. 
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Soundtrack Unmemorable 
How does it compare to others by the same director? Not applicable 
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American Beauty [2000] American Beauty [2000]
From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street, American Beauty moves ... more
with a mesmerising confidence and acuity
epitomised by Kevin Spacey's calm narration.
Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose
midlife awakening is the spi...
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