American Beauty (1999)

Director: Sam Mendes

Writer: Alan Ball

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birtch

Rated: R (strong sexuality, language, violence, drug content)

Let me start off by saying that once you see this movie, you'll never look at a plastic bag - or really life -  in the same way again…

Here we are starting off the list with the winner of 1999's Academy Award Best Picture, American Beauty. It is the story of a sexually frustrated and depressed suburban father, Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) attempting to make it through a sort of mid-life crisis while living with his materialistic wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening) and typical, unhappy teenage daughter, Jane (Thora Birtch). 

I think that of all the movies I've ever seen, this one is, by far, the most thought-provoking. It's a dark comedy but addresses all sorts of issues such as abuse, depression and dysfunctional family situations. Beyond these few things, however, the main point of the film is discovering what true beauty is. Lester, who at the beginning of the film, really has no idea, comes to discover that beauty is something we can find anywhere once we "look closer" - the tagline of the film. We watch him over the course of months

as he works at transforming himself, in order to become happy again. 

Oddly enough, what triggers his sudden boost of motivation is his sexual attraction towards a good friend of his daughters, fellow cheerleader, Angela (Mena Suvari), who, aware of his attraction towards her, plays along and admits to Jane that he would be better looking if he simply worked out. Angela is a character desperate for the attention from others, especially men, and worries only too much about conventional appearances, which is interesting as what Lester is leaning towards discovering is that beauty isn't defined by material things such as makeup and clothing. 

Of all characters in the film, I've got to say Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley) is definitely my favorite. In fact, he could just marry me and life would be complete. Seriously though, he is the character without whom the movie wouldn't be nearly as moving (in my opinion). Though seen as a little weird by his peers with his conservative attire and portable video camera (with which he films pretty much everything), Jane recognizes her new neighbor's sensitive personality and mysterious view of the world. In one of the many scenes the film is famous for, he verbally explains the meaning of true beauty while he shows Jane a fifteen minute video of "the most beautiful thing he ever filmed:" a plastic bag "dancing" in the wind. While it didn't make me cry, this seen left me literally hypnotized. It made me think, wow, maybe the world doesn't suck as much as I thought…And thinking the world sucks is probably a thought every member of the Burnham family practically lived off of. That's why the scene, and the entire film, is so powerful. It has us - or maybe just me - connecting with the characters we see as ignorant and mundane. 

If you haven't seen it, I would definitely recommend it. The acting is incredible and believable, the visuals are beautiful and the story will leave you feeling either empty or full. (If that makes sense…) Also, now this is just some personal advice, but watch it alone. At least the first time. It may sound strange, but...just trust me. Alright, if you're going to watch it with someone else, fine, but watch it before bed or something so you can think about it for hours after, question your life and how you're living it and drive yourself insane. 

Hopefully this was a good first entry and hopefully it convinced whoever is reading it to see American Beauty! Don’t get mad when you find out that I’ve left a significant amount of stuff plot-wise out – I did it on purpose for your own sake!