AMERICAN BEAUTY
First, let's get the meaning of the title out of the way. "American Beauty" is a metaphor for all the good things in life, like the perfect American Beauty Roses that consistently show up in Lester Burnham's (Kevin Spacey) vivid imagination. He's the dead guy who narrates the story of his family's dissolution and his own demise. Sounds tragic? Well, "American Beauty" is a tragedy. Yet at times, "American Beauty" is gut-grabbing hilarious.
Lester Burnham has a tragic flaw. He attacks everything he does with blinders on. He has no idea that he is a catalyst for all the destructive forces that whirl around him, not even when he creates the cause of his own death. He has a knack for getting people to reveal their darkest secrets, and Lester knows that everyone has a secret. It can be a thought, a desire, an embarrassing moment, or a shameful act. Some secrets are never revealed, others are shared. One is used to extort - Lester says negotiate - a sweetheart severance deal. Everyone in "American Beauty" has something to hide. The only thing that is out in the open is the contempt that Lester and his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) have for each other. Their new neighbors, the Colonel (Chris Cooper) and Barbara Fitts (Allison Janney), don't get along so well either. She suffers in silence while her homophobic husband browbeats their troubled son, Rick, with platitudes about honor, respect and manhood. Rick is one of the walking wounded, much like Lester's daughter, Jane.
He is in search of the beauty in life. He tries to capture the essence of things through the eye of his video camera. Rick tapes everything - live things - dead things - inanimate objects - and Jane. They connect. The two other people who get sucked up into this brushfire are Carolyn's idol in the real estate game, King Kane, and Jane's best friend, Angela. She believes the measure of a woman is her ability to inspire lust in men. Angela becomes the center of Lester's fantasy, idealized in a red sea of American Beauty roses.
Writer Alan Ball's screenplay cuts right to the marrow. The American dream of suburban bliss with crew cut lawns and an endless longing for consumer goods is held up to the scrutiny of his satiric wit. Yet, he never loses sight of the things that ground his characters to the real world - teen angst - lost innocence - marital discord - even the downsizing of modern corporations that discard seasoned employees. Lester Burnham becomes outspoken about the problems of society when he unleashes his inner child on the world. He acts like a kid to remind himself of a happier time. Think 'Sex and Drugs and Rock'n Roll' and a new job at the local burger joint. His wife will have none of it. Carolyn is the shrill voice of intransigence, locked into an endless cycle of wants and needs that have more to do with King Kane's empty idea of success than her family. The ideal, like the American Beauty Rose, becomes as much a fantasy as Les' quest for truth and youth. It lies somewhere, just out of reach, in the compromise that will never come between Les and Carolyn, or the Colonel and his son.
Theatrical director Sam Mendes made his mark on Broadway with the successful revival of "Cabaret." "American Beauty" is the first movie he's directed. His gift for staging, and the rapport he has with actors are transferred to the big screen without missing a beat. Mendes flawlessly blends the visual flair of Conrad Hall's cinematography and the satire of Alan Ball's script with deft performances that never strain for credibility. Kevin Spacey is nothing short of brilliant in the meatiest role of his career. He seamlessly transforms Les from a working stiff stuck in a soulless marriage and a dead end job to an anarchic pleasure seeker. The contributions of the entire ensemble cast cannot be underestimated. Each is a pillar of support at different points in the arc of Spacey's performance. One false gesture by any one of the them could have toppled the whole movie. There are none.
So! Is "American Beauty" a comedy, or a tragedy? The ending leaves the answer open to interpretation. Let's just say that it's tragically funny and leave it at that. "American Beauty" is destined to become a classic.
Suggested Video Pix"Happiness" (1998) - A daring second film from writer/director Todd Solondz who has the perverse ability to actually make you hate and feel sorry for the most despicable characters at the same time. Everyone in this movie is anything but happy. Surprisingly, it is funny, poignant, sad and shocking without resorting to any sexually graphic scenes. Solondz adheres to the adage, less is more. Dylan Baker stands out as pedophile who can't help himself. The great ensemble cast includes Jon Lovitz, Lara Flynn Boyle, Molly Shannon, Camryn Manheim among others. This is certainly not as slick as "American Beauty" but just as effective. "Welcome to the Doll" (1996) was Solondz's first film.
"Blue Velvet" (1986) - Written and directed by the king of perversity, David Lynch. More memorable for the bizarre criminal characters who come out at night than the plot. Dennis Hopper has never been creepier, Isabella Rosellini has never been kinkier and Dean Stockwell has to be seen to be believed.
"King's Row" (1942) - Epic story of small town life before WWI, the birth of psychiatry, and the cruelties imposed on the unsuspecting. Ronald Reagan becomes an amputee in his only truly great role. Ann Sheridan is the woman who loves him. Robert Cummings is the lifelong friend who sticks with them through thick and thin. Claude Rains, Charles Coburn, Judith Anderson and Betty Field are also outstanding in the supporting roles that hold this picture together.