Review of American Beauty (1999) by Clem666 — 02 May 2021

Amazing movie. Great soundtrack, terrific acting, inspired plot, pleasant pace and rhythm. The characters are perfectly presented and linked to each other, which allows us to feel a certain empathy for each of them.

Originally released in 1999 'American Beauty' still shines by the topicality of the subjects it deals with. If it could have been called 'Beauty' only because it presents how human can evolve and elevate through time, it also has the decency and the presence of mind of adding the adjective 'American' to clearly insert itself in a socio-cultural tendency. The story shows multiple characters living in the 21st century in America with all its madness, its purity and fantasies. They all have to take a stand in order to be someone else rather than a poor stereotype or cliché. If in appearance people may seem almost normal we can always choose to live our lives in the way we want to. And when we choose to (re)take control of it the people around us may notice it. And react to it.

Some of the artistic choices may seem incomprehensible, such as the presence of rose petals here and there, which may give the impression that "American Beauty" is superficial or poorly thought out, but I think it brings a kind of lightness to the plot. I found myself disappointed by the end but I think it is the point: you can make effort to live closer than what you want but in the end reality always strikes back.