Sam Mendes first feature film American Beauty

August 19, 10:30 AMSan Jose Movie ExaminerDanny Derakhshan

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 Photo: American Beauty theatrical poster.

Lester Burnham has been barely able to deal with his marriage to the always super positive Carolyn, and even less of a relationship with his teenage daughter, Jane. In addition to his family problems he's got a go nowhere career that is quickly spiraling down. Deep into a mid-life crisis, Lester becomes infatuated with the main cheerleader friend of his daughter. He gives up his job and ends up at a fast food restaurant while trying to figure out who he is and most importantly what kind of person he wants to be. English director Sam Mendes made his debut feature film that won best picture among its five Oscar nominations.

American Beauty is such a good movie to watch. It has great pace and keeps you guessing whats going to happen. No special effects except maybe the roses. Its hard to say if they were digitized or not but either way it was still well done.


Kevin Spacey is clearly a great choice for the main role of Lester Burnham. Its amazing what he is able to do with the circumstances given. Mena Suvari does an excellent job of convincing us that she is a sexually charged cheerleader/teenager by all her mannerisms. The hidden gem is Thora Birch as Jane. Her sensitivity is characterized by disdain for others but its such a moment when she shows her real thoughts that the entire screen lights up when she does triumph.

Watching the movie compared to the shooting script is great because there are only small pieces that changed but it isn't the script that changed, but the actors that portrayed their respective characters that brought real insight into the roles. Movies like American Beauty are amazing at how good entertainment can be without a lot of violence. Kudos to everyone that worked on this. It is well deserved of all the recognition it has gotten.