American Beauty

Reviewed by: Wonkers

October 10, 1999

Return

Just got home from "American Beauty." Powerful stuff. Last year, as I recall, I predicted that "Life is Beautiful" and Begnini would get Oscars. This year it will be, or should be in my opinion, "American Beauty" and Kevin Spacey. Anette Bening deserves a nomination for best supporting actor (actress?). And the director who I had never heard of probably deserves a nomination, too. Like Dr. Strangelove American Beauty was a powerful commentary on what's wrong with our society (materialism, guns, dysfunctional families, failed marriages, adultery, ignorance, stunted inter-personal relationships, fast food, Catbertesque business practices, etc., delivered with humor (but not as direct and riotous as Strangelove). Spoacey's next-door neighbor, ex-Marine Colonel Fitts, reminded me of one of the Air Force generals in Strangelove. Strangelove ended with the insane homophobic destruction of the world while "American Beauty's" homophobic climax was on an individual level. Anyway, in my opinion, this is a "must see" movie. Shut down your computers, Moters (??) and sally forth!