Review of American Beauty (1999) by Brett C — 30 Jan 2014

American Beauty was a film that I never had any interest or curiousity to watch because it never seemed to have hooked me, whether it was from looking at the poster or seeing that it was a Best Picture winner and a highly acclaimed film. It wasn't until out of nowhere, my brain just decided to give this a try, maybe it would be really good. So I got the film, and I came into it with no expectations. It ended with leaving me a sense of satisfaction, and it wasn't until another viewing a few months later where I have concluded that this film is perfect.

The film's screenplay was written by Alan Ball, who is notably known for writing for TV series like True Blood or Six Feet Under. Ball has written a script that doesn't so much follow a driving story, though the conclusion is pretty clear from the start of the film which can give off at first as a plot driven film. As the film goes on, we start to understand that it isn't what you think. The film actually is a reflection of ourselves. It explores the hidden layers behind American suburbia, showing us the damage that it has caused to us. People strive for this lifestyle because they want to settle down and live a "normal" life but the film shows that it is far from the truth. The characters in this film are layered upon psychological fractures and Ball wanted to have us be aware of that. Ball shows us that we don't all suffer the same symptoms but it all comes from the same disease. The main character of the film is going through a mid-life crisis and he just want to escape himself from the horrors of his society; responsibility, capitilism, and the social pressure of being one of them. Others around him, which Ball allows the film to also give a minor focus on, are still burdened by this problem and we get to see how damaged they have become because of it. The film wants us to be more appreciative to what we already have and not be blinded or succumbed in our own ambition. It has showed me that failed marriages and relationships don't happen because of natural incompatibility, instead it's how society has reshaped the individuals, therefore making them incompatible to one another. I would have truly never understood what Lester meant at the end if I have seen this when I was much younger and less mature. The film has quite a few characters in it and I admire that Ball was able write characters with all being psychologically and emotionally damaged but still was able to give each one it's own distinctive flavour. Not one seem to come off as annoying or unnecessary because he also writes enough detail about their inner workings that we are able to sympathise for the current state that they have trapped themselves in. The only character that only seems normal is the one who was regarded as mentally broken by everyone, Ricky Fitts. Dialogue in this film is wonderful, as it just sounds hilarious and crazy but each word that is being said does add on to help us understand what made these characters be like this. They say what they say, because that's who they are or who they are trying to project. The only dialogue that sounds raw and untamed is Lester's, making him stand out from the crowd and not be like one of them. The film may avoid the everyday chit chat that is found in neighborhoods like this, but this is because the film is higher than that. The characters and dialogue are present to tell us a lesson and not to have us admire or aspire to be them.

The film is directed by Sam Mendes, and American Beauty was his debut film. I must say, what a great way to start in the feature films business. His Academy Award for Best Director is definitely deserving. I have seen most of his films, the only one I haven't yet seen is Jarhead. I believe that currently, this is Sam Mendes' best film. Mendes could have easily chosen for this film to be focused on Lester's death, this was mentioned at the start of the film so this not so much a spoiler, but he has decided to turn this film into a message film and wrap it around in a hilarious and entertaining package. This film feels very accessible because of it's humor and avoids for the audience to feel any dread. Mendes wants for us to be laughing at these people because they are so broken and misdirected in life. If we really look past the humor, what we actually see is a sad life that is filled by materialism and repression. Though then the film isn't always humorous, as sometimes it takes a serious tone and have us feel the tragedy of these individuals, especially in the last 20 minutes of the film. Surprisingly Mendes, was able to convey a sense of suspense and tension during the third act. I find it quite sad that Mendes wasn't able to make a film that surpasses or at least get even with his debut film, though Skyfall came quite close, and it seems that he is currently very attached to the Bond franchise so my expectations won't be too high during hs next film.

The film's cinematographer is the late Conrad L. Hall, he would later work with Mendes again on Road To Perdition. I think if he was still alive, he would have kept on collaborating with him, and gain more awards. Before American Beauty and Sam Mendes, he has already made a name for himself with films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke, and Marathon Man. Hall creates a realistic but also slightly exaggerated picture of American suburbia. The films looks beautiful and moves gracefully. The film's image consists of saturated colors, making the reds really pop which is really important in symbolising the themes of the film. The film feels steady most of the time, and doesn't take a handheld approach, aside from a couple of moments. The surrealistic scenes comes off as beautiful, as Hall wants us to experience what Lester is feeling. Hall's camera work is also present to gain that comedic undertone that the film needed. During the third act, Hall applies a much more darker tone and style as this allows us to feel the weight of the situation. His win for this film is well deserved, as the film would have felt different if it wasn't him handling the film's look.

The film's score was composed by Thomas Newman, who was worked on a lot of great films and has been nominated for 12 Academy Awards and yet to have won one. Newman's work for American Beauty is definitely fun to listen to and it sounds very unconventional, but I can't say it is his best. I have seen much better scores from him in films like Finding Nemo and Skyfall. A lot of Newman's scores have the ability to suck you in and feel like you're there, instead this film creates attention to itself. This is because it doesn't use the typical orchestra to convey emotion or use another conventional method which is to have a stripped down score. Instead Newman creates this odd mixture of sounds that feels right for the scene but at the same time makes us feel uncomfortable. The score was also able to make the scene feel hilarious and make it seem weirder than it already is. The film was also able to use soundtracks in specific moments, and I must say they are great choices. They are not only great songs, but also when played it adds on to this intended humor that makes the scene memorable.

The acting in this film is fantastic. It features a number of great stars, and some that are not so much famous for their acting but still bring their A game here. I think this is because they are under the direction of Sam Mendes. I think he knows precisely what he wants from his actors, which is why each scene always feels like a golden take. Kevin Spacey was great here, playing a frustrated man who just wants to get what he wants for once. I have never seen Spacey feel so loose here, he seems to know how to make fun of himself which is why his acting was so believable; no hint of holding back and commited to making each take of his performance to work. Annette Bening was great here, able to play off and challenge against Spacey during certain scenes. Again, like Spacey, she knows how to not be too uptight with herself and that it was necessary to be loose in order to sell her character. Bening's character is a phony, so she was able to give her character a much needed depth in order for us to feel like there is more to her than what she is showing us and everybody else. Chris Cooper was underappreciated in this film, as I felt that he really brought it. There are subtle reactions he gives off to certain lines being said that shows us that there is more to him than what he is trying to project. Allison Janney may be barely in the film damn, she was fantastic in the small moments that she is in. She accurately portrays a damaged woman in a failed marriage. Every time she comes on, I felt sorry for her and I just wanted to rescue her somehow. Thora Birch and Mena Suvari were great as the representation of young adults who has grown up in a dangerous society. They truly felt like victims, but since they are young they still show this window of escpae and that they can still have a happy ending. Wes Bentley was fanastic here, and he seems to feel like the most normal out of the entire cast. Bentley came off as natural and stripped down, which is the complete opposite of everyone in the film as he was the only one who truly didn't need to cover up in order to get ahead. I know this may sound greedy, but I felt that the entire cast should have been nominated for an Academy Award because honestly they all really deserved it.

American Beauty is a great portrait of contemporary American Suburbia and it is something that Mendes wanted for us to come back to, in order for us to understand it's purpose. Mendes' aim is for us to look closer than to what is shown on the surface, and apply the film's point to our lives.