I enjoy Films (Cinema and DVD), Music and Gaming as well as socialising and hanging around with mate...
I enjoy Films (Cinema and DVD), Music and Gaming as well as socialising and hanging around with mates.
Member since:23.03.2007
Reviews:13
"American Beauty is a 1999 comedy-drama film that explores themes of romantic and paternal love, freedom, beauty, self-liberation, existentialism, the search for happiness, and family against the backdrop of modern American suburbia. The film was the screen debut for writer Alan Ball and director Sam Mendes and starred Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening; all four were nominated for Oscars. In 2000 it won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture."
This is one of my favorite films. Kevin Spacey is superb, probably his best performance to date, and there are all-round great performances from the supporting cast. There are tons of great lines and Mendes' direction is fantastic, an extremely promising debut.
It is unfortunately the case with many of these kinds of dramas that they appear too pretentious, I never found that with this film. There is a decent and consistent pace throughout and although it remains a drama the plot thickens and twists throughout. The film is average in length (around 2 hours) regular events and disruptions to the primary narrative keep it interesting throughout. Whats more is the cleverly written scipts, the film has some great one liners and is highly quotable, it is clear that Alan Ball has worked hard in writing the fantastic scripts which form a great platform for the talented actors.
The film primarily concerns Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a depressed suburban father of one in a mid-life crisis. The film went on to achieve 5 Oscars for its portrayal of Lester as he attempts to turn his nihilistic life around. The film covers some controversial themes such as a romance between the forty something Lester Burnham and his daughters much younger attractive friend (brilliantly acted by Mena Suvari). Few films will leave the audience with this many questions in their heads as in many ways you begin to doubt the point in your lifestyle as you relate to the crisis expertly shown by Spacey.
Spacey plays a 42-year-old advertising executive living in the suburbs whose family life has fallen into disrepair. The relationship with his wife dwindles throughout the film and he has an unusual relationship with his typical teenage daughter, brought to life with a fantastic performance from Thora Birch. All aspects of Lesters life have become more stale over the years and this film shadows his routine as he slides into depression, the characters and events of the drama are cleverly linked to more subtle changes in the distraught characters life.
Obviously many will be drawn to the rebellious midlife crisis/coming of age aspect to the film but I think this is a great existential drama as well. The film looks fantastic and the score from Newton Howard suits the varying moods well. To anyone who enjoyed American Beauty I would recommend films like Road to Perdition, Donnie Darko and Wonder Boys. It may not be to everybody's tastes but there is no doubt that this is a truly captivating drama. 9/10
I purchased the DVD of this movie for around 3.99 and was not disappointed. It's not only Sam Mendes' 2 hour captivating feature that will prove worthwhile watching as the DVD contains the following special features:
Behind The Scenes Featurette Audio Commentary with Director Sam Mendes and Screenwriter Alan Ball Storyboard Presentation with Sam Mendes and Director of Photography, Conrad Hall 2 x Theatrical Trailers
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
Sorry for the low mark. As others have said it needs more info. Will happily rerate if you change it.
donf18 23.03.2007 19:31
needs a lot more info
thebigc1690 23.03.2007 19:03
sorry about the low rating. have a look at some of my reviews for a hint of whats needed nd let me know if you add to this as i will return and re-rate it for you!
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]")
Mar 23rd, 2007
(Mar 24th, 2007)
helpful by (33%):
somewhat helpful by (67%):
