American Beauty

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...Im actually going to enjoy writing this next review, partly because ive probably seen the film a hundred plus times, and yet have never got board of its quality. This review is on the academy award winning American Beauty, starring Kevin Spacey. Now im actually a really big Spacey fan, some of his work including The Usual Suspects and K PAX have been some of his best work. He has the knack of just making you admire what ever character he plays, he has a sort of presence that makes you feel this film is going to be powerful. He has a humorous side, he can play a dark side you name it, I even liked his recent portrayal of Lex Luther in Superman Returns, the role really suited him. Anyway without going off topic, we will now focus more on the film itself, both my parents and brother also admire this film because it has so many themes that...

jaygami1986 08.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

Legendary (American Beauty (DVD))

Advantages: Excellent acting, directing, storyline...the list goes on!
Disadvantages: none

...This movie is an absolute classic. I have watched it numerous times, and every time I feel as entertained and emotionally moved as the last. The movie is extremely thought provoking, to the extent that you will most probably find yourself re-evaluating your life as a result of it! The plot: 'I feel like I've been in a coma for the past twenty years. And I'm just now waking up...' American Beauty tells the story of Lester, played by the legendary Kevin Spacey, who wishes to break free of the norm of 'keeping up appearances', his wife Carolyn Burnham (Annette Bening) is so obsessed with. Annette represents the disillusioned being, who has lost sight of what he/she wants in life and believes that happiness is represented by material things and how 'in order to be successful, one must project an image of success at all times'. Lester...

bobinder 02.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

Take a closer look at American Beauty...

Advantages: great extras - a great DVD of a great film
Disadvantages: none

...I have had the Region 2 DVD version of American Beauty since late June, when I got it as a birthday present from my sister. After having had a disappointing viewing of the DVD of Peter?s Friends, which whilst being a great film, even if tinged with sadness and the characters are about as incompatible with one another as they come, I moved on to American Beauty. And before I realised I had watched several times in a period of days. I do not intend to mention that much about the actual film in terms of plot as I believe the essence in this opinion should be on the DVD version, rather than an out and out film review, but to not mention a brief plot résumé (without spoiling the film for those who have yet to see it ? and yes it is worth seeing as a film ? there have been few as deserving winners in recent times of the Best Picture Oscar...

Morgenhund 04.11.2002 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

American Beauty

Advantages: Enclosed - dreamlike atmosphere, good acting, great lines
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...with being special. American Beauty is entertaining and can be seen easily in these terms; but with a little thought, a lot more can be gained from this viewing pleasure. Deserved of the awards. If you enjoy the weirdness of life watch this film!...

lipgloss 11.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

American Beauty

Advantages: Acting, Direction, Story - all wonderful
Disadvantages: Erm....that awful dance tune thats just been released using the theme tune!

...American Beauty is the story of one "average" family that turns out to be not so average upon closer inspection. Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is an average family man, who decides one day to make some changes in his boring, uneventful life. These changes on the surface could easily fall under the category of "midlife-crisis," but when delved into deeper they are really a form of "rebirth," almost an awakening. His wife (Bening) ignores him, his daughter (Birch) resents him and the lack of respect from his colleagues makes his home life seem bearable. Basically his life is like every other married man...until he meets his daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). She brings something into his life that had been nonexistent...vitality. This new found vitality seems to bring on even more animosity from his family...or maybe just...

Barney_Tabasco 09.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

American Beauty

Advantages: Beautifully made film and great performances.
Disadvantages: Might be a little slow for some, special features not brilliant.

...This film was huge when it was released back in 2000. Directed by Sam Mendes, it won an impressive 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. It has quite a cast to boast also. With performances from Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Mena Suvari and Thora Birch. Spacey plays Lester; a middle aged American male, who lives a supposedly rosy life in the suburbs with his all-american wife Carolyn(Bening) and reclusive daughter Jane (Birch). But all of the normality becomes boring to him, and things dont seem to be as perfect as he thought they were before. Is it just a mid-life crisis? After meeting Angela, a friend of Janes at a school basketball game, he becomes completely besotted by her beauty and confidence. He begins to dream about her and constantly finds her on his brain. Not as seemingly interested in him...

shelley1986 13.06.2007 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

You Beauty - American Beauty

Advantages: Superb all round - this film is a classic
Disadvantages: Depressing story...naah

...Every so often in Hollywood a film is produced which strays away from the norm, I could start to list them but I won’t because that would take your attention away from American Beauty. There was a lot of hype built around its release but it doesn’t disappoint. Sam Mendes has done a terrific job in portraying Mid-life crisis and how people deal with it. This film also portrays tearaway teens, reluctant homosexuals and obsessions. Intriguing no? *This may ruin the plot for some people so don’t say I didn’t tell you so ;-)* The story begins with a shot of Middle America suburbia (does that make sense?), the neighbourhood where the dysfunctional Burnham family live. This particular bit of scenery showing the trees in autumn seems to symbolise Lester Burnham, a 42-year-old man who is fed up of being average...

mmuk 11.05.2001 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

American Beauty

Advantages: Delge deep and you will discover
Disadvantages: Hard to understand on the surface

...This film shows the lives of a dysfunctional surburbian American family. I found this film strange yet compelling. It showed how a family try to show that they are a good family unit, yet behind the scenes there is all kinds of deceit and betrayal. The film stars Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning and Mena Suvari. After watching this film I realised why it had won numerous oscars. On the outside the film does not really make much sense. However once you delge deep into the film you can understand the true meaning to the film. It is a must see...

BestyWesty 08.09.2000 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

THE BEAUTY WITHIN

Advantages: An excellent film, with so many qualities inside
Disadvantages: characters are sometimes over the top but no loss to the films magic

...American Beauty… A film portraying the sad misfortunes of a typical American family.. A film of strong sometimes too true to life undercurrents, yet portrayed to the viewer as an almost zany, dry humoured ironic view of life as we know it. Kevin Spacey portrays Leicester Burnham, a sad pathetic example of a man, who now at 42, suddenly realises his life is in a shambles and the mid life crisis starts to affect his reasoning. The basis of this and the general demise of the characters is all down to one thing, the loss of sexual relationships between Leicester and his wife. As I said he is a sad, pathetic attempt at a man, but you immediately warm to him somehow and feel for him in his need to once again find his niche in society, however he is superb in being able to play the underdog with his almost believable thoughts...

broksababe 12.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)

Unusually American Beauty

Advantages: Kevin Spacey, what will he do next, oh, and rose petals.
Disadvantages: None. And I really do mean that.

...I say 'America', and you'll probably be psychologically bombarded with subliminal images of chronically obese individuals, obsessed generally by nothing more than baseball, Wheel of Fortune and themselves. If however, you are not prone to believing every American citizen cliche in the proverbial book, then this, I assure you, is a film for you. Mid-Life crisis, psychotically restrictive fathers habouring severe sexuality insecurities and, well, asparagus. So typically British, yes? Well, not if newcomer Sam Mendes has anything to do with it. This beautifully shot snapshot of suburban serenity (or not) follows the life of the real American family; not all glitz and glamour, but rows, tantrums and adultery, it would appear. And if you thought a drama couldn't be funny, then look again, as the rose-laden mid-riff-molesting promo...

slim_sim_uk 16.05.2001 · Read review
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Review of American Beauty (DVD)