If I were to have told you that "American Beauty", a film released to much critical and commercial acclaim, was directed by a debutant, you'd probably have doubted that statement to every degree possible. How can a film so layered, so meticulous and stylish, have been directed by a first-time director? Indeed, that was the question I asked myself when I first saw this movie. Sam Mendes delivers a knock-out film that delivers on every level, and gives us one of the most (if not the most) remarkable debut films in the history of cinema. It is a story of the inner soul that resides in suburban America, where we are bought up to idealise and aspire to this "perfect" little world of a 3-bedroom house, a loving wife or husband, children, nice car and money. This is the "perfect" little life that is sometimes aptly referred to as the "American Dream". But this dream is not perfect. In fact, it's anything but, and this film shows it as Mendes takes us behind the white picket fences and paned windows. He gives us the life we see behind these seemingly ordinary people. And as the film progresses we are shocked to discover that these people are people we see every day: at work, at school, even ourselves.
It starts off with a wonderful tracking shot of a typical American suburb, tree-lined with perfect houses and mowed gardens. We are introduced to a seemingly typical American family: Lester (Kevin Spacey), Carolyn (Annette Benning) and their 16-year-old daughter Jane (Thora Birch). Lester and Caroyln are both frustrated in their jobs and seem in a very stagnant place, both professionally and in their relationship. The demands of a family and jobs have definitely affected their relationship, and we can see that the gap has already divided between them. Jane is as confused as any other teenager and wears dark clothing and lots of make-up, perhaps in a sub-conscious effort to hide herself from the rest of the world. She has a self-obsessed friend (Angela, played by Mena Suvari) who subtlely plays her down at every moment. Angela is beautiful and spirited, the object of every guy's attention, and she most certainly uses this to boost her ego. Next door a new family has moved in, and immediately we can sense something just isn't quite right. The father is Col. Frank Fitts (Chris Cooper), a stern disciplinarian army veteran who keeps a tight ship on his timid wife (Allison Janey) and their son Ricky (Wes Bentley). The dynamics in both family are strained, and we follow both as Mendes takes us deeper into their personal lives and relationships. We get a real sense of imprisonment from all the characters, but it is Lester's character who undergoes the most change. From the beginning we can see that for years he has let his wife and daughter walk-over him, until he meets Ricky next door and they smoke a joint. He is reminded of his youth and the happiness he felt, and decides to take action. What results is a brilliant, poignant story that not only keeps the viewer entertained, but leaves us shocked at the brutal realism before us.
This film is a masterpiece. The script, written by Alan Ball, is regarded as one of the finest ever written (and so it should be). The story and characters are multi-layered and given such dimension that we don't see them as characters in a movie, but as real people we see on a daily basis. Mendes works closely with one of the best cinematographers of all time, Conrad L. Hall. As with "Road to Perdition", their follow up movie to this one, this film focuses on detail. The focus on colors, composition and framing is to such a higher level that it almost seems effortless on their part. Hall uses lighting and camera movement to such great effect in this film that it just highlights the aesthetic richness of it. From a technical stand point, this film is near flawless: outstanding script, cinematography, direction and score, we are left in amazement. Mendes also succeeds in bringing out the best from his actors - the entire cast deliver amazing performances. Spacey gives us a character who has been crying to break out, and when he finally does we are left smiling the whole way through. His performance is brilliant, particularly in the final scenes of the movie where his character is left confronting his real self, and fully deserving of the Academy Award. Benning is equally as good as the success driven, money grabbing mother who gets emotional over just about anything. The supporting cast deserves special mention too, but the performances of Cooper and newcomer Wes Bentley is sublime. There scenes are minimal, but the dynamics of their strained relationships are delivered on a subtly poignant level. Both could've warranted serious Oscar consideration. Movies like "American Beauty" is the reason I love film. There are no major explosions or CGI-effects or 3D. Just a superb story and characters told from a masterful point of view.
This film was a phenomenon when it first came out in 1999. It was a hit with critics and the audience alike, winning six Academy Awards and closing out the millenium in style. I think the reason it resonated with so many people is because of its basic elements: a simplistic yet layered story, real characters and technical mastery. But this film takes us behind the curtains. Behind the fences and into the lives of people. And what we see us not only shocked, but wanting to see more.
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