American Beauty Review: Suburban Satire with Bite
8/10 — American Beauty (1999)
Pros
- Bening's sharp performance
- Stunning cinematography
- Sharp suburban satire
Cons
- Uncomfortable subject matter
- Aged poorly
Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, decides to shake up his dull suburban life by quitting his job and lusting after his daughter’s friend. It won five Oscars, including Best Picture.
What works
Spacey is wry and wounded, Annette Bening is brilliantly brittle, and the supporting cast, including Wes Bentley as the camcorder-wielding neighbour, is strong. Conrad Hall’s cinematography is lovely, and the film’s satire of suburban conformity is sharp.
Where it falters
Its portrayal of a middle-aged man’s lust for a teenager is uncomfortable, and the film has aged less well than it once seemed to. Spacey’s later scandals also colour the film.
Verdict
A beautifully shot, well-acted drama whose reputation has dimmed.
