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directed by Sam Mendes
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stars
Kevin Spacey
Annette Bening
Thora Birch
Wes Bentley
Mena Suvari
Peter Gallagher
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American Beauty is a stunner. This superbly crafted, modern masterpiece investigates present-day American life, building a powerful portrait and stinging critique of a the values of the society while at the same time presenting both satirical and realistic characters, humorous briefs, and intriguing subplots. First-time filmmaker (and established stage director) Sam Mendes from England explores the underbelly of the archetypal American Experience and a thick, dark cover envelopes the falsely shining surfaces. This theme may seem similar to those of the expert American auteur David Lynch but contrasts are clear. Whereas Lynch gives us normal situations and pulls back the covers to reveal twisted characters, Mendes, in a stroke of genius, gives us normal people and then subtly reveals how twisted their situation has become. Rather, motifs like loss of hope, rampant materialism, and a dazed numbness towards life exhibited by the principals of this flick are more similar to the work of the underrated Canadian craftsman Atom Egoyan than Lynch.
For all it’s foreboding, American Beauty can also be seen as a hopeful film. Lester Burnham (a brilliant Kevin Spacey) is a typical husband, father, employee and regular guy. He slowly starts to wake up to the fact that his marriage has become a total sham, lacking in any emotional depth or warmth, simply a “commercial for how normal we are when we’re anything but.” Further his relationship with his teenage daughter Jane (Thora Birch, who matches Spacey’s dramatic intensity) has deteriorated to such an extent that he barely knows her. He also sees his job, a pandering journalist writing advertorial, for the pathetic money-grubbing that it is. Lester realizes he must change if he hopes to have any hope of happiness or freedom, no matter how fleeting, and how he goes about this leads to scenes conversely hilarious, poignant, or arresting. The man does everything to re-invent himself from quitting his job to taking up the happy weed again, but it’s his attraction to his daughter’s vixen-like friend Angela (Mena Suvari) that gives him the most energy and brings on his greatest epiphanies. His efforts to break through to those closest to him may be met with bewilderment from the family members but Lester himself has turned a corner, though as we learn in the opening scene his fate is already sealed.
American Beauty has much perspicacity into not only modern American life but the human condition in general. The need to keep growing, experiencing and searching for beauty of all sorts is outlined through astute strokes. The present piece focuses on the oft-told tale of midlife crisis and lurking desires but adds a unique twist to these issues. It builds a searing portrait which is complimented by unexpected scenarios, insightful realizations and just the right amount of surreal flourish. A masterwork in both form and content, American Beauty is not to be missed. |
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