American Beauty represents a new standard in film-making. It has as much to do with pure philosophy as it does with characterisation, symbolism and development of plot. Though we have seen this mildly with other recent films such as Fight Club and The Thin Red Line, American Beauty is the first to offer us a complete philosophy on the nature of life.
This alone sounds very strong, yet it is accompanied by other unrivaled traits. You are unlikely to encounter another film where ALL of the central characters are so brilliantly developed, and in turn to show that we are all full of contrast.
The acting is utterly flawless by all the main characters, with Kevin Spacey giving a performance that will be regarded as the jewel in the crown of his career
Add to this some of the best cinematography you will ever see by Hollywood veteran Conrad Hall and a masterpiece of a score by Thomas Newman, and you have possibly the best film in living memory.
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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
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