American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball (of True Blood fame) is quite indescribable. Every time I watch this masterpiece I take something different away from it; it is one of those rare films that gets better with every viewing, and I would consider it essential viewing for anyone. Lester Burnham (brilliantly played by Kevin Spacey) is the central character from whom all other characters are connected. When he is interviewed to keep his job he suddenly realizes that his life is not the one he wanted and begins noticing with ever greater perception that his wife and only daughter don't look up to him. As Lester's life is devolving into a serious mid-life crisis his family become more and more estranged while he becomes increasingly infatuated with his daughter's friend.
The film continues to spiral into ever more personal thoughts, feelings and moments as we are brought into the life and household of Ricky Fits, a troubled child next door who is obsessed with filming anything he finds beautiful, in particular Jane; Lester's daughter. Saying any more would spoil much of the film, but what are quite unsettling and perhaps even threatening ideas and scenes are handled with both grace and humor.
Throughout the film symbols and recurring motifs occur frequently, most notably in the use of red and in the roses and rose petals that frequent the film. This saturation of one particular shade of red, from the door to the Burnham household to the Pontiac Thunderbird Lester had always dreamed of buying, adds a somewhat surreal quality to the film which, on top of the bizarre fantasy and dream sequences, creates a particular and unique flavor to the film.
Even with a full plot synopsis and a panel of film experts you couldn't understand exactly what the film is about without watching it, not only does everyone see it differently, but everyone's views of the film change with subsequent viewings, and there is no consensus on the main themes of the film. Some will say that the desire to be desired is the core theme, while others will claim it is a satire of suburban desires while still others might claim it is conformity that lies thematically at the core of the film. They are all right, and all of them are wrong. To me the film is a love letter to everything, while being a mockery of all it shows. It is about learning to live and accepting death, coming to terms with one's self and denying truths to yourself. It is about everything and nothing, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Truly impossible to describe, but essential viewing. So give it a look. And then look closer.
Tim
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