Review of American Beauty (1999) by Brendon M — 14 Jul 2014

This movie was one that I had been avoiding for a long time. Kevin Spacey is one of my favorites. This is one of his all-time great roles. As Lester Burnham, Spacey is able to show all aspects of human awkwardness, temptation, self-discovery, and ultimately tragedy.

Through Burnham's eyes, audiences are privileged to see the beauty and at the same time evil, part of lust and love. Images of red roses fill Burnham's fantasies of his daughter's attractive blonde friend.

This movie is both disturbing and wonderful even if it does not rise to the same level of other dramas. Thank goodness for the career of Kevin Spacey.