I say 'America', and you'll probably be psychologically bombarded with subliminal images of chronically obese individuals, obsessed generally by nothing more than baseball, Wheel of Fortune and themselves. If however, you are not prone to believing every American citizen cliche in the proverbial book, then this, I assure you, is a film for you.
Mid-Life crisis, psychotically restrictive fathers habouring severe sexuality insecurities and, well, asparagus. So typically British, yes? Well, not if newcomer Sam Mendes has anything to do with it.
This beautifully shot snapshot of suburban serenity (or not) follows the life of the real American family; not all glitz and glamour, but rows, tantrums and adultery, it would appear. And if you thought a drama couldn't be funny, then look again, as the rose-laden mid-riff-molesting promo poster tells you to. And that is an instruction worth taking.
What you would expect from Hollywood is more of the same. What you get is Kevin Spacey, the most versatile and unpredictable current talent. And he is simply superb.
And the dialogue? A twisting, turning subtley superior tour-de-force of emotion, intrigue and sexual desire. And a bath full of rose petals. Nice.
The beauty though, is deeper than titilation. Its music, photography, love, youth and, well, a floating paper bag, quite simply one of the most moving set pieces in movie history.
I recomend this film to anyone with eyes. It is simply fascinating. Enjoy.
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
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Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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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]")
May 16th, 2001
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