 I have to start by saying that I think this is one of the best movies ever made.. This film is worthy of every Oscar nomination it receives. In American Beauty, everything glistens like fresh paint. Everything is right, from the performances which are never slightly unconvincing to the simple direction, which only serves to heighten the churning emotion being played out. Particularly noticeable is Sam Mendes' restraint with the use of sound - 60% of the film plays to silence, which makes these people seem even more tangibly real. Annette Bening and Kevin Spacey are both incredible actors and a marvelous on screen duo. But it's obvious where veteran actors such as Spacey and Bening would give Oscar worthy performances, but the big surprise performances come from the youngsters. Thora Birch and Mena Suvari (who's work I have mocked in the past) bring their roles to life with an extra touch of realism, making you believe they are teens, not characters written to act like teens, and Wes Bentley, although not always acting like a teen, adds the psychotic touch that the character needs to make his character work. Conclusion: You see a movie. Look closer, and you'll see one of the decade's best. I give it my highest recommendation.
( Note: I will be the first to admit that this review is rather late but due to the fact that it has been re-released in theatres in the US and I just saw it for the first time I feel it is justified.) |
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