American Beauty
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch and Mena Suvari
Director: Sam Mendes
Running Time: 121 mins
Available now on DVD and Video
Lester Burnham's (Spacey) life is grinding to a halt. He and his wife Carole (Bening) have lost the spark from their marriage, his daughter Jane (Birch) is growing ever more distant and he hates his job. He is losing his will for life, when he meets Jane's friend Angela (Mena Suvari) who gives him a reason to turn his life around.
I'm not saying any more about this movie, it a rare gem of a film that really needs to be seen not read about. For a story about an average American family, it strikes home on so many levels. The ups and downs of marriage, sexual awakening, lust, envy, tolerance, greed and our dependence on material things are all both comically and heart wrenchingly covered in this wonderful movie. Kevin Spacey is again a revelation, the man can do no wrong, but it is the wonderful script by Alan Ball and the direction by first timer Sam Mendes, who brings a visual splendour that you would never expect in a character piece like this, that make this movie a modern day classic. Funny, extremely moving and very poignant, a must see movie.
Behind The Scenes Featurette, Audio Commentary With Director Sam Mendes And Screenwriter Alan Ball, Storyboard Presentation With Sam Mendes And Director of Photography, Conrad Hall & 2 x Theatrical Trailers
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