|
| Foocha! is a non-profit Web site. We do it for kicks, not for cash. If you're interested in writing for the site, click here |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
| Movies,
Dan Wolff,
20 January 1999 |
Rating: F5
|
|
| |
| |
|
The standard for the best film of 2000 has now been set by this extraordinary film from first time British director Sam Mendes. Possibly the most reliable actor in the world today, Kevin Spacey, plays 42 year old loser Lester Burnham who lives in a surburban house, has a lifeless job, sexless marrage and a teenage daughter who hates him. He begins to want to change his life when he spots his daughters' friend Angela (played by Mena Suvari from American Pie) cheerleading at a basketball match and becomes instantly obsessed. Cue fantasies involving him, her and fountains of rose petals.This inspires him to start working out (as suggested by Angela), blackmail his boss and start smoking high quality grass after a chance encounter with his new next door neighbour Ricky Fitts (acted perfectly by Joaquin Phoenix lookalike Wes Bening).
Lester isn't the only one with the problems. His wife Carolyn (Annette Bening 'in-good-film-shocker') sells real-estate, only to breakdown into tears after an unsucessful day. Her life is changed when she starts an affair with fellow real-estate seller Buddy Kane while all the time ignoring, along with her husband, their increasingly troubled daughter Jane (more great acting from relative newcomer Thora Birch). She encounter her new neighbour Ricky when he films her on his camcorder, firstly to her disgust until she understands him and the relationship develops. Rickys' disfunctional family consist of his near silent mother and over-bearing ex-Marine father who is constantly suspicious of his son. Various paths are crossed throughout the film, some with devistating effects.
Due to the way the film swings effortlessly from comedy to drama it can be compared to Crimes And Misdemeanors, and from a dysfuctional family point of view, The Ice Storm. Every aspect of American Beauty takes it to a level higher of brilliance than other films. Mendes uses Rickys' camcorder to full effect with a number of inventive frame-within-a-frame shots without ever becoming indulgent and will no doubt become a sought after director.The acting is of an extremely high standard all round, from the two leads and the impessive newcomers. It will take an exceptional film to beat this for film of the year.
UK rating:
18
US rating:
R
Sam Mendes 1999 USA
Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Scott Bakula and Mena Suvari
Top Home |
|
|
|
|
