The Movie Guys: ‘American Beauty’ a gorgeous depiction of dysfunction

Friday, Sept. 24, 1999 | 10:04 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun (Movie Buzz written by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Las Vegas Weekly magazine. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies and themovieguys.com.

Grades: Jeff, A; Dave, A.

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper and Mena Suvari.

Directed by: Sam Mendes.

Screenplay by: Alan Ball.

Rated: R for profanity, nudity and graphic violence.

Running time: 122 minutes.

Playing at: Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18, Rancho Santa Fe 16, Century Orleans 12, UA Green Valley.

Synopsis:

On a typical suburban street in a typical town, there is an ordinary family living the American dream. But look closer. Lester Burnham's wife, Carolyn, regards him with contempt, his daughter, Jane, thinks he's a loser, and his boss is positioning him for the ax. In pursuit of his new vision of the American dream, Lester is about to learn that the ultimate freedom comes at a price.

Jeff: The opening shot of "American Beauty" starts off with the camera hovering high over a picturesque neighborhood, one that looks quiet, serene, all-American. This could be your neighborhood. We move closer and closer to one particular house, with a red door. It is the residence of the Burnhams, a family composed of one teenage daughter, a wife who sells real estate and a husband in the advertising game. They look normal and happy, but are far from it. What is normal? That is the question, and screenwriter Alan Ball, along with director Sam Mendes, stand the American family on its ear and pry with curious eyes, witnessing the unusual behavior and warped morals and values of the American family.

As we saw last year with "Happiness," the groundbreaking film by Todd Solendz, where his flashlight shed light into the dark corner, occupied by the individual human cockroach, "American Beauty" takes a candid look at the dysfunctional family and how it has evolved into anything but ordinary.

Dave: This suburban angst tale tells the story of Lester Burnham (Spacey), who solemnly narrates the last year of his life before the final "eternal moment" of his death. He discovers that his marriage to his materialistic wife Carolyn (Bening) is unhealthy, his relationship with his teenage daughter Jane (Birch) has become damagingly distant, his work ethics as a magazine writer have been unappreciated, and his droll life has been stagnant for as long as he can remember. His only satisfaction is in self-degradation as he masturbates during his morning shower or fantasizes over Jane's sultry best friend, Angela (Suvari). After a sudden mid-life realization that could easily be equated as a mid-life crisis, he begins to be more assertive and makes the necessary changes that shake up his "abnormal" surroundings.

Jeff: As William Holden did portraying Joe Gillis in "Sunset Boulevard," Lester recounts when and where his life had a momentous turn and we watch with anxiety and baited breath at the consequences of his actions. He has a textbook mid-life crisis and tries to jump-start his life by attempting to recapture his youth, buying a 1970 Firebird, a car that he has always wanted, and returning to his life of fast food at The Smiley Burger. He wants the least amount of responsibility and his life will now center around himself and no one will ever tell him what to do ever again.

In a role that Spacey commands as all his own, Lester Burnham is a man reborn. His eyes have opened to what life is really about and what little time we have. But while his world may be coming together as he always dreamt of, his behavior has set off a chain reaction in regard to his family. "American Beauty" takes dark turns down roads of depravity and immorality and Spacey undergoes an astonishing change from a meek and whipped husband to a selfish and determined American male.

Dave: Also, the film closely follows Jane's own teen angst with her family, school and social activities and the curiously odd nature of Ricky (Bently), the new boy next door. Her annoyance turns to fascination with his compulsive habit of using a video camera as a form of expression, capturing everything he finds "beautiful." His own rigid life is weighed down by the constant structure and restrictions enforced by his staunch ex-Marine colonel father (Cooper) who we learn is more abusive than constructive. However, Ricky lives a secretive life with his extensive collection of videotapes and deals narcotics, yet his intent is harmless and he can completely sympathize with Jane's turmoil.

In the thick of it all is Carolyn, whose determination decides both her personal and professional priorities. Through self-motivational speak and the facade she creates for herself, she constantly fails at filling the void of emptiness that has ruled her existence. She bemoans her job and berates her family and even herself. One scene shows her beginning to cry for not making a sale, until she repeatedly slaps herself for being weak. Extremely morbid and very dark, this sad sight is a spectacular piece of fine acting.

Jeff: Bening gives the performance of her career as Carolyn Burnham, a mother who takes her image as a successful real estate broker very seriously. She has the best furniture, the best clothes, the best house in the neighborhood, all the proper articles to look the part. She can't do it and so she comes apart at the seams. Her life is in chaos and Bening is remarkable, displaying an emotional range unlike any I have seen in recent years. Not since "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe" has a married couple fought with such verbal abuse and wrath.

Ball's script is a godsend, with its direct "tell it like it is" dialogue and risque subject matter (homosexuality, drug abuse, adultery), infused with rich and dysfunctional characters. Ball relates that you can find beauty anywhere, even if it's a plastic bag blowing in the wind. Great visuals. It's an absolute treasure and a wonderfully wicked portrait of the American family. Director Mendes, a veteran of Broadway, uses the most influential images for "American Beauty," and symbolism (rose petals, for instance, to signify Lester's fantasy dreams) to weave a truly remarkable motion picture.

This is cinematic perfection all around with the year's best performances, direction and writing. It's one of the best movies of the year and the one to beat at next year's Academy Awards. One viewing and you will know.

Movie Buzz

"Barry-rella"?: According to Daily Variety, Warner Bros. has obtained rights to remake the whacked-out sci-fi film "Barbarella" and is negotiating for Drew Barrymore to play the futuristic femme fatale. According to the article, Barrymore has long been interested in remaking the 1968 cult film. Jane Fonda starred as a 41st century "astronette" attempting to thwart an evildoer who's bent on laying his hands on a deadly "positronic ray," not to mention the hapless heroine. Barrymore will next appear with Cameron Diaz in "Charlie's Angels."

"Giant" release: One of the best films of '99, and one you probably haven't seen, is coming to home video. "The Iron Giant" is scheduled for release on VHS and DVD on Nov. 23. The film will be available in wide screen on both platforms. The VHS tape comes with a free action figure, while the DVD has several bonuses including a "Making of" documentary. "The Iron Giant" is the story of the friendship between a young boy and a 50-foot robot war machine. It's a film not to be missed by kids or adults.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes: Several big studio pictures have just shuffled their release dates. "Anna and the King," starring Jodie Foster, has been pushed back to Dec. 17. Fox has announced that "The X-Men" feature film will open nationwide on June 30, and the Matthew McConaughey submarine drama "U-571" is due on April 21.

Name That Flick

What actor played Lou Gehrig in the 1942 film "Pride of the Yankees"? Greg Zastava was the first to e-mail last week with the correct answer: Gary Cooper. Way to go, Greg! For this week, try to answer this question: What was the name of the first motion picture in which Kevin Spacey appeared? If you think you know, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or log onto our website at www.themovieguys.com. Be sure to spell your name and if you're the first to answer correctly, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read.

Be sure to pick up this week's issue of the Las Vegas Weekly to read our interview with Pruitt Taylor Vince, star of the new film "Mumford." See you next week!

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