American Beauty (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: wonderfully acted, directed
Disadvantages: none

...going to see the typical American lovely suburbia, oh no I have lots of money and I'm very depressed and have an alcoholic problem, but I'm really a very nice person type of movie. (if you know what I mean). What I got was a movie with depth, and Kevin Spacey too! The tag line says it all 'look closer'. A movie with a message, but not too 'gaggy' sincere. Thora Birch is great, and Kevin Spacey, well he is one of the best actors there is! I am ... Read review

Advantages: Original story
Disadvantages: none

...right at the start of American Beauty that he will be dead soon so it should not be a surprise the he dies at the end of this excellent Academy award winning film.He falls in lust with the best friend of his daughter and subject of the title.Spacey is bored with his life and decides to start rebelling much to the annoyance of his wife (Annette Benning).This is one of those very rare films it has a very good story,script,actors and is expertly directed ... Read review

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

This movie is utterly brilliant. It starts amongst the mess of a 'middle aged' man. he is totally unhappy with his life. the highlight of his day is jer*ing off in the shower every day before work. Then his daughter is cheerleading and he see's the girl of his dreams. His daughter's best friend 'the typical blonde cheerleader'. From this point he tries to re-live his younger years and starts to go jogging in the neighbourhood, working out and even ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent directing debut from Sam Mendes, brilliant acting and compelling storyline.
Disadvantages: The word disadvantage does not apply to American Beauty.

This film, to borrow the words from its title, is beautiful. I love this film, so much in fact that I have bought the video from America where it is still only available for rental! It is my theory that everyone who sees it can identify with something in the film and for this reason that it has a special meaning for everybody. Granted, the story is not a normal everyday occurrence and contrary to popular belief, it is not the actual story line that ... Read review

Advantages: a brilliant piece of film making
Disadvantages: nothing at all

...right for me to purchase American Beauty on region 1 DVD at the end of last year. I have to admit that i was pleasently suprised by what i saw, well more than that, it was brilliant, absolutely superb. It is based around a typical american family that go on a rollercoaster ride of doing drugs, having affairs, mid-life crisis, fantasys about younger women from a dirty old man, and of course theres a bit of homosexuality in there as well. All ... Read review

Advantages: A superb film
Disadvantages: not many

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Well acted, Reasonably easy to follow, Intelligent
Disadvantages: Artsy

...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 ... Read review

Advantages: fantastic film!
Disadvantages: made me cry :(

i LOVED this film!! although the storyline is quite disturbing (a man perving on his daughters 'friend') the characters are deep and interesting, and the performances are amazing. it manages to allow the audience to understand the characters, even the ones you would expect to loathe (including the pervy dad!). it definitely deserves all the critical acclaim and awards it has won. i always judge films on how long i'm thinking about them afterwards, ... Read review

Advantages: thought provoking, funny,sickeningly true
Disadvantages: sad ending

American Beauty, a strange and thought provoking film. Nothing like I thought it would be a simple story of a father who falls for his daughters friend. the film is over two hours long but not for one second were my eyes and mind riveted to the screen. extremely funny in places, with many scenes making you sqirm at the bizarre truthful embrassing content There were no big names in the film but the acting was good. the ending was sad, and could have ... Read review

Advantages: Incredibly moving
Disadvantages: none

American Beauty is truly a don't-miss movie. It will definitely make you think. Kevin Spacey does an incredible acting job, as do Annette Bening and, basically everyone else who was in the movie. I felt that this movie was a pretty realistic portrayal of just how wacky "mainstream America" can be.. it also raises the question of whether trying to be a part of that life is even worth it. I think that everyone will find something ... Read review

Advantages: Kevin Spacey
Disadvantages: The movie itself

I had heard that this was a film I really should not miss. So I took everyone’s advice and went to see it and was utterly disappointed. Yeah Kevin Spacey is good in it, but then we already knew he was a great actor, you only have to watch the cleverness of the Usual Suspects to know that. But I really felt let down by this movie, the story was not as good as everyone says and the film was just dull in my opinion. If it wasn’t for Kevin Spacey this ... Read review

Advantages: multi layered
Disadvantages: nothing really!

American beauty has so much to it, it really needs to be soon and not just read about. It's hard to stick it in one genre but I suppose drama would just about fit it. It tells the story of Lester Burbank, a small town american father whose going through a midlife crisis. The film is really about the Burbank family and how Lester's problems impact the rest of the family from his unhappy daughter to his adulteress wife. There are so many layers it's ... Read review