Unit 2, Part 1

1. I don't think this was a bad film, but I resent having it compared to such great films as Ordinary People, Kramer Vs. Kramer, and Terms of Endearment. Those movies dealt with real characters, with real world problems. I don't understand why this movie has been treated as "The Darling of 1999". I realize that all of these situations exist in today's world, but to have them all in one family is a little too far-fetched for me. American Beauty was a distant third behind The Green Mile and The Sixth Sense for my Oscar choice.

2. I belong to the small group that dislike the movie. I really do not understand the enthusiastic reviews. OK, the performances were not bad, but Kevin Spacey made better movies and Annette Bening can not give more to her part. But the story, how many times have we seen such a one!!! Some jokes, a few funny scenes, attempt at psychological profile. There was only a bittersweet taste I felt when I left the cinema.

3. It's rare that a simple drama/comedy could be so memorable, but American Beauty seems to have that ability. I'm not sure exactly what it is- maybe it's the wonderful script, the witty dialogue, the deadpan humour, or the flawless cast and direction- maybe it's a mixture of all these elements. I can't remember a more satisfying film in recent years. Everything about this movie oozes class. I saw all the Best Picture Oscar nominees this year, and I don't think anyone can legitimately argue that it has not been worthy of at least some of the praise and awards it has received. The Academy should have recognised Wes Bentley's performance. He was a real scene stealer and the movie wouldn't have been the same without him. Undoubtedly a 5 star movie.

4. American Beauty is a strikingly original, nearly flawless film, that works on so many levels. Unlike The Star Wars Episode 1, with American Beauty the viewer can only walk into the cinema expecting a good film, but one they can not expect what it's going to be like, or even what genre it is. The film had this strange effect on you, after you leave the cinema, you don't realise that you've just seen an incredible masterpiece of a film. While I was watching the film, I was thrown in all directions, I felt a million different emotions. I could see that Mendes was a gifted filmmaker, and as a playwright I think he has the ability to combine tragedy with comedy, and create a totally disarming film. American Beauty is definetely not for all tastes. If you are over 45 you may find it depressing and very hard to watch. For anyone under 30 you've got a real special film here, with a message so deep it may take you two viewings to find it.

5. Would you like to see a movie that features the following scenes set in a small town? An old man successfully seduces an underage girl. A wife exuberantly commits adultery. Nude teens have sex, barely hours after meeting. A person blackmails his employer, without cause. A teen drug dealer is a hero. A teen girl runs off to New York with the drug dealer, because they can make more money selling drugs there. After these, and other, graphic scenes, it was almost a relief to view a bloody murder with a handgun. At least we knew the movie was almost over. What movie is this? American Beauty. This movie is acclaimed and nominated for seven Academy Awards. Worse, this movie is presented to us by Hollywood as a documentary of ordinary life in a small town. I reject the notion that this represents day-to-day life around us. Unfortunately, it seems believable, and will be a role model for our youth.

6. Kevin Spacey is tops, as are Thora Birch (as the daughter), Mena Suvari (as her friend), and Wes Bentley (as the spying neighbor). But the charismatic Peter Gallagher is wasted in an ill-defined role, as is Chris Cooper, whose psycho military dad is more cartoon than genuine. And Annette Bening contributes her first boo-hiss performance as the always-cranky wife.

7. I don't know why people rant their souls out and almost kill each other for liking or disliking the film. It's neither somewhat revolutionary and truthful, nor is it stereotypical and fake, it's only good. But it's plain good, it's very very very good, actually. But that's all there is to it. It's very enjoyable, though the pace is rather slow, it's satire and the characters are intriguing. I have to disagree with those who say the characters are one-dimensional, it's a lie. It's just that we are rather supposed to have fun with them than to examine their wounded souls. Great performances by Kevin Spacey and Chris Cooper, and also the rest of the cast does very fine jobs. The emotions are rather restricted and true, and the dialogue is fantastic. Not those annoying monologues that seem to be supposed to be cool. Only the things that have to be said, plus jokes that hit.

8. This is a debut for director Sam Mendes and an amazing achievement. The director and screenwriter have equipped Burnham with something as rare as an opening monologue – not a play-by-play but more of a fairy tale introduction – a major spoiler none the same. To top that off, the best scenes are courtesy of some splendid and intertwined dreamy passages – thick and rich on symbolism and both sexy and surreal – that blend in effortlessly. This is ambiguous and successful filmmaking containing an original cinematic spark. However, you'll be disappointed if you go in expecting the movie to come up with any new angles or answers. American Beauty is a movie much in the vein of the late 90s – a product of the time it was made in – as it revolves around a general rebellion against all forms of normality and basic consumerism. Nothing more, nothing less. Some characters are as deep as cereal bowls. The message being nothing more than a Nike commercial; ‘Just Do It'.

9. Listen folks: American Beauty is a masterpiece – for various reasons of which I'd like to mention a few. First of all there are just a couple of movies that contain so many "magic moments": Scenes to remember for a long, long time after you left the cinema. Scenes which instantly come to your mind when thinking of a movie. Not to forget the plastic bag dancing in the wind, a magic moment that might make film history. Apart from that, American Beauty shows us the dark voids that lie under the clean surface of the middle-class homes. It opens our eyes for the beauty in life. It makes us think whether happiness really lies in an Italian designer sofa and a bungalow with a swimming-pool or maybe rather in the golden brown leaves falling from a tree on an autumn day. Or in the faces of the persons we love.