Well, I am still alive and well, just not writing any ops. I do pop back now and again to check on ...
Well, I am still alive and well, just not writing any ops. I do pop back now and again to check on my favourite writers and sometimes have a reading frenzy of all the new ops! Keep well and happy............
Member since:15.07.2000
Reviews:35
Members who trust:74
Firstly – I must apologize, this op should have been posted in the ‘video’ category, sorry :O(
I saw American Beauty when it was first released at the cinema in the UK. I was totally awestruck by the wonderful filmmaking and the very evocative score. The performances from the entire cast are of the highest standard and it was most definitely my 'film of the year'.
Last night I watched the film on my VCR, and I have to say that I felt that it lost a lot of its impact. The story is still great, the performances wonderful - but it doesn't have the power on the small screen that it has on the big screen.
That said, it is still one of the best films I have seen in the past few years, and if you missed it at the cinema then you should take a look at it on video.
The film stars Kevin Spacey (excellent in ‘The Usual Suspects’) as Lester Burnham, an American guy who is going through something of a ‘mid-life crisis’. We follow him through his suburban existence as his life takes dramatic changes from the ‘norm’, until his ultimate death. Now that is not a spoiler for all of you have yet to watch the movie, as this is explained right from the start of the film. I had no idea of the plot outlines when I saw this film for the first time, and I think it’s better to watch it ‘fresh’, so I will not be going into any more plot detail.
There is superb support from the rest of the cast, which includes: Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley (soon to be seen as Spiderman in the new movie) and Mena Suvari.
American Beauty is the debut feature film from English director Sam Mendes. Mr Mendes is a highly respected theatre director here in the UK. He has been the artistic director for the Donmar Warehouse in London for quite a few years, a theatre that consistently produces quality and exciting works (‘The Blue Room’ – starring Nicole Kidman was just one of them). I feel that he brings a wealth of knowledge on how to direct actors, to this film.
The film was nominated for 8 academy awards (Oscars), and won 5: 1, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Kevin Spacey) 2, Best Cinematography 3, Best Director (Sam Mendes) 4, Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen 5, Best Picture
The title of the film is incredibly clever, there are many interpretations of the meaning, and they are all valid toward this story – I will leave it to you to make your own opinions on that one, but please let me know what they are, as I probably haven’t spotted all of them!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
boohoo i was hoping I would at last find out what the film is all about and why everyone seems to like it so much, and I thought you were going to at first, guess i will have to watch it and see.
mrbibbly 16.03.2001 22:39
I loved this film to bits.I wish I had seen it on the big screen instead of watching it on video:(Good op with no spoilers!:)
Blondeboms 11.03.2001 16:38
Wow you certainly have alot to say about this film. I'm really just writing this cos i wanted to say thanx for the tips you've been givin me when u comment on my opinions. cheers :)
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: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Look closer at the most talked about film of the year. A funny, moving and shocking ... more
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]")
Feb 12th, 2001
(Mar 7th, 2001)
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