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The movie did not blow me away when I watched it for the first time. I was a high-schooler and it took a couple of screenings more to actually understand it. The routine of life and
the monotonies with it, the illusions which melt with time and primal instincts, the movie touches many such themes with a subtlety which never interferes with the narrative. It’s amazing how a slice of American middleclass life can spin a tale of such a universal significance.Lester (Kevin Spacey) and Carolyn’s (Annette Benning) marriage has become a farce. They are perhaps together for their teenage daughter Jane. Lester is a failure atleast in terms of social class and his wife is typically after it trying too hard in the field of real estate. Is it society that does not let man be what he wants to be? Lester’s physical cravings for his wife fall on deaf ears and he is reproached for trying to fulfil it in other ways. Hypocrisy, as Carolyn herself gets involved with a rich guy. As though this was not enough, Lester falls for the sexy cheerleader girlfriend of his daughter Jane (Thora Birch) much to her dismay and to the amusing delight of Angela (Mena Suvari). Great family what do you think? Come in another family as their neighbors. Ricky (Wes Bentley), the weird son with a handycam, Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper), his strict homophobic father and meek and timid Barbara Fitts. Ricky loves recording just anything and his new favorite subject is the family next door. Ricky and Jane’s intimacy is soon going to affect Jane and Angela’s friendship in a strange yet realistic way. All that looks perfect is not, all that looks great is not... This theme of appearance and reality unfolds such a truth at the end that will strike you. It does keep on happening in our lives all the time but how much do we learn from it or do we actually notice it? American Beauty sees almost all of its cast giving a near to perfect performance. The first time directing effort by Sam Mendes is superlative. Lester is the narrator, strange device I should say keeping in mind his fate at the end of the movie. Communication gap and hidden grievances go a long way in breaking relations. Lester and Carolyn’s sham marriage does nothing positive to their daughter Jane. It’s not that that they do not care about her but they fail to understand that the hapless girl has no role model in them. Similarly Ricky’s father is so much strict with his son, as to regularly test his urine for drugs and chastises him severely while suspecting some pervert relations that he might have with Lester. It’s the demons inside him that the once neo nazi Pitts tries to fight against till they get the better of him. Lester who at times comes across as a scoundrel sublimes in his reaction towards Angela. You have to see the film minutely to savor the moments. the close ups of face, the hidden beauties. Some striking scenes are: The cheerleeding scene and the Lester’s fantasies about Angela.
Jane’s undressing in front of a window while Ricky watches.
Lester’s workout which Ricky records.
Angela’s seduction scene.
The white polybag floating in air.
The rain drenched scene towards the end between Colonel Pitts and Lester. Thomas Newman’s music effectively complements the narrative. Hidden insecurities can be so poignant. Whether it is with Lester who gets sacked, Carolyn who sees her marriage and work failing her, Jane who considers herself plain, Angela who thinks noone actually cares about her, Pitts who is a closet homosexual. Everyone try at one point or other to reclaim their life but does life allow them? watch the movie minutely to know.
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