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This is my friends review of American Beauty, he doesn't have access to the internet but is a film guru, from his tv email he sent me this is via email and asked me to post it up here for him. Here it is:
The year 2000 dazzled us with superb films. Paul T. Anderson's 'Magnolia' was an epic soap drama that pulled on the nerve strings. Michael Mann's 'The Insider' pulled together 2 of contemporary films' most powerful actors [Russel Crowe and Al Pacino] for an explosive snack of taut
dialogue and an engrossing story.
So what could a film need to be able to 'take out' such acclaimed heavyweights? Kevin Spacey m**********g in the shower would answer that question!!!
AMERICAN BEAUTY
Everything about this film is superb. Alan Ball's satirical and deeply moving look at the human condition's inability to function conventionally transforms into a great script.
Sam Mendes' hot, fresh theatre direction is well transformed via his first professional motion picture, while a profoundly interesting cast (headed by the never bad Spacey) transmogrify Ball's literary creations into astoundingly 'real' people.
The film's ability to enthrall, entertain and amaze is mainly down to one reason; its character understanding and development.
Almost every member of the movie populace will be able to relate to this film. Why? Becasue the film offers so many different types of characters that it is hard not to find a common bond with at least one of them.
The film's dark undertone helps it to sustain its psychologically disconcerting view of how human existence can change so ubruptly, and most importantly shows the bare truth behind the 'American Dream,' where kids aren't perfect, adults aren't happy, and ultimately life doesn't seem like a gift.
The basic story is simple. Spacey realises that his life is not what it should be; has his desires re-awoken by his daughter's friend (Mena Suvari), starts smoking weed supplied by his new neighbour Ricky (Wes Bentley), quits his job to work in a fast food joint, and buys the car of his dreams--- all in the aim of reaching substantial happiness.
The real quality is driven into the picture with sheer force via consuming sub-plots.
Anette Bening (Spacey's wife) has an affar with business rival Buddy (Peter Gallagher), Spacey's daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is entangled inside the confusing period that is adolescence, while Ricky's once army enlisted father (Chris Cooper) is trying to bring up Ricky 'properly,'
reminding him of the factors in life that are deteriorating society, especially in the form of homosexuals.
The sub-plots all come together explosively as each character's development (be it for better or worse) becomes evident through the film's unnerving ending.
A film like this doesn't come around very often. American Beauty is truly an adult movie that owes everything to the fact that it is about being unfulfilled with the quality of life, something everyone can relate to in one way or another. It is a very deep film that can be seen on
multiple levels, which in a way contiributes to its astounding effect.
Winner of 5 Oscars and deservedly so.
Long after the viewing of the movie is complete, certain images and quotes will linger in the memory, (Mena Suvari covered in rose petals the most noticeable ones).
A classic that deserves to be called so. A popular film that doesn't rely on CGI, and Spacey on top form. And a film like that doesn't come along very often don't you know. So, if u havn't seen it, what the hell are you waiting for.
Just be warned: you'll never see you're friends dad in the same way again!!
Thanks for your time.
The year 2000 dazzled us with superb films. Paul T. Anderson's 'Magnolia' was an epic soap drama that pulled on the nerve strings. Michael Mann's 'The Insider' pulled together 2 of contemporary films' most powerful actors [Russel Crowe and Al Pacino] for an explosive snack of taut
dialogue and an engrossing story.
So what could a film need to be able to 'take out' such acclaimed heavyweights? Kevin Spacey m**********g in the shower would answer that question!!!
AMERICAN BEAUTY
Everything about this film is superb. Alan Ball's satirical and deeply moving look at the human condition's inability to function conventionally transforms into a great script.
Sam Mendes' hot, fresh theatre direction is well transformed via his first professional motion picture, while a profoundly interesting cast (headed by the never bad Spacey) transmogrify Ball's literary creations into astoundingly 'real' people.
The film's ability to enthrall, entertain and amaze is mainly down to one reason; its character understanding and development.
Almost every member of the movie populace will be able to relate to this film. Why? Becasue the film offers so many different types of characters that it is hard not to find a common bond with at least one of them.
The film's dark undertone helps it to sustain its psychologically disconcerting view of how human existence can change so ubruptly, and most importantly shows the bare truth behind the 'American Dream,' where kids aren't perfect, adults aren't happy, and ultimately life doesn't seem like a gift.
The basic story is simple. Spacey realises that his life is not what it should be; has his desires re-awoken by his daughter's friend (Mena Suvari), starts smoking weed supplied by his new neighbour Ricky (Wes Bentley), quits his job to work in a fast food joint, and buys the car of his dreams--- all in the aim of reaching substantial happiness.
The real quality is driven into the picture with sheer force via consuming sub-plots.
Anette Bening (Spacey's wife) has an affar with business rival Buddy (Peter Gallagher), Spacey's daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is entangled inside the confusing period that is adolescence, while Ricky's once army enlisted father (Chris Cooper) is trying to bring up Ricky 'properly,'
reminding him of the factors in life that are deteriorating society, especially in the form of homosexuals.
The sub-plots all come together explosively as each character's development (be it for better or worse) becomes evident through the film's unnerving ending.
A film like this doesn't come around very often. American Beauty is truly an adult movie that owes everything to the fact that it is about being unfulfilled with the quality of life, something everyone can relate to in one way or another. It is a very deep film that can be seen on
multiple levels, which in a way contiributes to its astounding effect.
Winner of 5 Oscars and deservedly so.
Long after the viewing of the movie is complete, certain images and quotes will linger in the memory, (Mena Suvari covered in rose petals the most noticeable ones).
A classic that deserves to be called so. A popular film that doesn't rely on CGI, and Spacey on top form. And a film like that doesn't come along very often don't you know. So, if u havn't seen it, what the hell are you waiting for.
Just be warned: you'll never see you're friends dad in the same way again!!
Thanks for your time.
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This is my friends review of American Beauty, he doesn't have access to the internet but is a film guru, from his tv email he sent me this is via email and asked me to post it up here for him. Here it is:
The year 2000 dazzled us with superb films. Paul T. Anderson's 'Magnolia' was an epic soap drama that pulled on the nerve strings. Michael Mann's 'The Insider' pulled together 2 of contemporary films' most powerful actors [Russel Crowe and Al Pacino] for an explosive snack of taut
dialogue and an engrossing story.
So what could a film need to be able to 'take out' such acclaimed heavyweights? Kevin Spacey m**********g in the shower would answer that question!!!
AMERICAN BEAUTY
Everything about this film is superb. Alan Ball's satirical and deeply moving look at the human condition's inability to function conventionally transforms into a great script.
Sam Mendes' hot, fresh theatre direction is well transformed via his first professional motion picture, while a profoundly interesting cast (headed by the never bad Spacey) transmogrify Ball's literary creations into astoundingly 'real' people.
The film's ability to enthrall, entertain and amaze is mainly down to one reason; its character understanding and development.
Almost every member of the movie populace will be able to relate to this film. Why? Becasue the film offers so many different types of characters that it is hard not to find a common bond with at least one of them.
The film's dark undertone helps it to sustain its psychologically disconcerting view of how human existence can change so ubruptly, and most importantly shows the bare truth behind the 'American Dream,' where kids aren't perfect, adults aren't happy, and ultimately life doesn't seem like a gift.
The basic story is simple. Spacey realises that his life is not what it should be; has his desires re-awoken by his daughter's friend (Mena Suvari), starts smoking weed supplied by his new neighbour Ricky (Wes Bentley), quits his job to work in a fast food joint, and buys the car of his dreams--- all in the aim of reaching substantial happiness.
The real quality is driven into the picture with sheer force via consuming sub-plots.
Anette Bening (Spacey's wife) has an affar with business rival Buddy (Peter Gallagher), Spacey's daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is entangled inside the confusing period that is adolescence, while Ricky's once army enlisted father (Chris Cooper) is trying to bring up Ricky 'properly,'
reminding him of the factors in life that are deteriorating society, especially in the form of homosexuals.
The sub-plots all come together explosively as each character's development (be it for better or worse) becomes evident through the film's unnerving ending.
A film like this doesn't come around very often. American Beauty is truly an adult movie that owes everything to the fact that it is about being unfulfilled with the quality of life, something everyone can relate to in one way or another. It is a very deep film that can be seen on
multiple levels, which in a way contiributes to its astounding effect.
Winner of 5 Oscars and deservedly so.
Long after the viewing of the movie is complete, certain images and quotes will linger in the memory, (Mena Suvari covered in rose petals the most noticeable ones).
A classic that deserves to be called so. A popular film that doesn't rely on CGI, and Spacey on top form. And a film like that doesn't come along very often don't you know. So, if u havn't seen it, what the hell are you waiting for.
Just be warned: you'll never see you're friends dad in the same way again!!
Thanks for your time.
The year 2000 dazzled us with superb films. Paul T. Anderson's 'Magnolia' was an epic soap drama that pulled on the nerve strings. Michael Mann's 'The Insider' pulled together 2 of contemporary films' most powerful actors [Russel Crowe and Al Pacino] for an explosive snack of taut
dialogue and an engrossing story.
So what could a film need to be able to 'take out' such acclaimed heavyweights? Kevin Spacey m**********g in the shower would answer that question!!!
AMERICAN BEAUTY
Everything about this film is superb. Alan Ball's satirical and deeply moving look at the human condition's inability to function conventionally transforms into a great script.
Sam Mendes' hot, fresh theatre direction is well transformed via his first professional motion picture, while a profoundly interesting cast (headed by the never bad Spacey) transmogrify Ball's literary creations into astoundingly 'real' people.
The film's ability to enthrall, entertain and amaze is mainly down to one reason; its character understanding and development.
Almost every member of the movie populace will be able to relate to this film. Why? Becasue the film offers so many different types of characters that it is hard not to find a common bond with at least one of them.
The film's dark undertone helps it to sustain its psychologically disconcerting view of how human existence can change so ubruptly, and most importantly shows the bare truth behind the 'American Dream,' where kids aren't perfect, adults aren't happy, and ultimately life doesn't seem like a gift.
The basic story is simple. Spacey realises that his life is not what it should be; has his desires re-awoken by his daughter's friend (Mena Suvari), starts smoking weed supplied by his new neighbour Ricky (Wes Bentley), quits his job to work in a fast food joint, and buys the car of his dreams--- all in the aim of reaching substantial happiness.
The real quality is driven into the picture with sheer force via consuming sub-plots.
Anette Bening (Spacey's wife) has an affar with business rival Buddy (Peter Gallagher), Spacey's daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is entangled inside the confusing period that is adolescence, while Ricky's once army enlisted father (Chris Cooper) is trying to bring up Ricky 'properly,'
reminding him of the factors in life that are deteriorating society, especially in the form of homosexuals.
The sub-plots all come together explosively as each character's development (be it for better or worse) becomes evident through the film's unnerving ending.
A film like this doesn't come around very often. American Beauty is truly an adult movie that owes everything to the fact that it is about being unfulfilled with the quality of life, something everyone can relate to in one way or another. It is a very deep film that can be seen on
multiple levels, which in a way contiributes to its astounding effect.
Winner of 5 Oscars and deservedly so.
Long after the viewing of the movie is complete, certain images and quotes will linger in the memory, (Mena Suvari covered in rose petals the most noticeable ones).
A classic that deserves to be called so. A popular film that doesn't rely on CGI, and Spacey on top form. And a film like that doesn't come along very often don't you know. So, if u havn't seen it, what the hell are you waiting for.
Just be warned: you'll never see you're friends dad in the same way again!!
Thanks for your time.