Writer/Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening and Wes Bentley
‘A Beautiful Masterpiece’
Few celebrities in Hollywood have faced controversy affecting careers like Kevin Spacey. Following his rise during the 1980’s, Spacey appeared to be a promising actor with a bright future in the film industry. With his charming personality, sharp sense of humour and larger-than-life presence, Spacey proved to be a one-of-a-kind actor destined for glory. The movies that Spacey made during the 1990’s are considered to be classics today. However, recently the actor’s glorious career was destroyed by a sexual assault controversy. Accused of assaulting a minor, Spacey’s prosperous career came to a sudden closure. Ever since that shocking scandal which came with a price to pay, the actor is rarely seen making modern movies today.
Before his career was tarnished by a shocking controversy, Spacey made the unforgettable movie “American Beauty”. Released in 1999, Sam Mendes’ Oscar-winning movie gave the famous actor a larger-than-life role in which he could shine. Boasting breathtaking cinematography, phenomenal production-design and timeless performances, it’s a beautiful masterpiece. What makes “American Beauty” such a beautiful classic is the leading performance from an actor that’s iconic. Kevin Spacey proves how great of an actor he once used to be before his career faced controversy. Ultimately, the film delivers a powerful message about depression which would resonate with everyone.
Set in a beautiful suburban American neighbourhood, “American Beauty” tells the story of a middle-aged man that feels misunderstood. Kevin Spacey embodies Lester Burnham, a depressing middle-aged man stuck in a broken marriage. Adopting a pessimistic attitude, Lester hates his mundane job, dysfunctional family and boring routine. However, Lester’s life forever changes when he becomes sexually infatuated with a teenage girl living next door. Stuck in a dilemma, Lester questions whether he can ever find beauty living in America.
Sam Mendes is a newcomer to suburban American stories. Before making “American Beauty”, Mendes had never made a movie before. It marked the filmmaker’s directorial debut. It was Mendes’ first attempt to capture the struggles faced by suburban American families but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Mendes captures the journey of a sexually frustrated man searching for identity. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes as stunning as red roses that Lester dreams about. Mendes effectively uses colour symbolism to capture themes explored in the film. For instance, the colour red is used throughout the movie to signify death. Whether it’s the blood red roses in Lester’s dreams or the bright red dresses worn by his wife, the ominous colour is used to signify death. Through this clever symbolism of colours, Mendes captures a middle-aged man experiencing dangers. Using stunning cinematography, Mendes captures the beauty of an American suburban neighbourhood.
Another admirable aspect of “American Beauty” which is worthy of appreciation is the production-design. Mendes expertly uses production-design to capture a family facing a decline. Mendes expertly uses real-life suburban neighbourhoods across America to capture a family facing trauma. Whether it’s the inviting houses or bustling streets, the neighbourhoods play a pivotal role in the movie. For instance, the production-design of houses elevates the house selling scene. During this memorable scene, Carolyn Burnham is excited to sell her expensive house to investors. One appreciates production of houses capturing American neighbourhoods in literary styles reminiscent of Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Through stunning production, Mendes captures a middle-aged American man’s battle against depression.
Storytelling is a beautiful aspect contributing to the success of “American Beauty”. The film is beautifully written, and captures the hardships faced by married men that endure depression. Mendes’ screenwriting strength is capturing the impact of depression on a middle-aged man through voice-over narration. Throughout the movie, Lester Burnham expresses his frustrations with his miserable life through meaningful voice-over narration. Kevin Spacey’s sarcastic voice elevates the narration. This meaningful narration gives viewers an insight into the mind of a troubled man afflicted with depression. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. When used excessively, it can often come across as a gimmick and detract from a movie-going experience. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” suggested, narration elevates classic gangster movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Through a spectacular screenplay, Mendes captures the way dysfunctional families in America behave today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Kevin Spacey delivers a career-defining performance as Lester Burnham. Spacey achieved appreciation by playing mysterious men that become usual suspects in murder mysteries. With “American Beauty”, however, Spacey embodied his most dramatic role. It was the actor’s first role in a dramatic movie. It’s not easy to embody the personality of a man enduring a mid-life crisis, but Spacey succeeds. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, frustrations and yearning of a middle-aged man seeking beauty in American living. In light of sexual assault controversy, it’s a sad reminder of how great an actor Spacey once used to be. It’s a phenomenal performance that launched the career of one of the world’s most controversial actors today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Spacey, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciation. Wes Bentley is brilliant, capturing the curiosity of a teenager that takes an interest in his next door neighbour in a way that’s creepy. Annette Bening is amazing, capturing the frustrations of a depressed woman trapped in a doomed marriage that’s declining. Finally, Chris Cooper merits appreciation. As a strict army veteran, he brings an air of menace to the movie.
The final aspect of “American Beauty” that makes it a movie worth watching is its message of beauty. Unlike most movies made during the 1990’s, the film’s message has aged incredibly well. It tackles universal themes including angst, marriage and tragedy which resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be American to relate to the movie. It delivers a universal message which would resonate with anyone that has faced dysfunctional families at an early age. Therefore, “American Beauty” is one of those rare movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Kevin Spacey will definitely appreciate “American Beauty” and so will movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a beautiful film about middle-aged American men seeking to find beauty in suburban neighbourhoods facing adversity, it’s a touching tribute to a legendary actor that built a lasting legacy through his ability to play complicated characters with fascinating personalities whose movies deserve to be celebrated even when his career has long been destroyed by sexual assault controversies.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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