Review of American Beauty

Introduction

"I feel like I`ve been in a coma for about twenty years, and I`m just now waking up."

This statement sums up American Beauty - a look at modern suburbia. Focusing on fortysomething Lester Burnham and his status-seeking wife, Carolyn, as their marriage and lives slowly unravel. Lester`s wife hates him, his daughter Jane regards him with contempt, and his boss is positioning him for the axe. As Lester decides to make a few changes in his life; the freer he gets, the happier he gets. But Lester is about to learn that the ultimate freedom comes at the ultimate price.

It seems that when films deal with real-life, plausible events, they a more successful generally than some other fantasy-style flicks. Plots about everyday life may seem mundane and boring - and defeat the escapist nature of cinema to some extent - but they also allow empathy and sympathy to be conveyed by the audience.

The hype that surrounded this film upon release and come award season has surely sullied its strength`s - and weaknesses - so when reviewing this one has to sift through the baggage and focus on the one thing that counts: the film itself. And of course, now it is on DVD, there are two things to focus on...

Video

2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen. The film`s director of photography is the late, great Conrad Hall, and his talents are perfectly suited to this type of film - and fortunately they are replicated in style by the near-flawless transfer. The source print`s colour definition is excellent, with crisp and clear visuals, therefore the transfer is free of any artefacts such as dust or grain that could hampen the viewing experience.

Theatre director - and Brit - Sam Mendes makes his cinematic debut with American Beauty, yet it seems that he is a veteran due to his very intelligent and innovative direction. However, one must remember that the source material is very detailed; and Hall does add a lot to the visual atmosphere - but a stack of kudos does need to go to Mendes, as he brings a lot of style to the proceedings (probably due to the theatre: which is really an actors medium, which helps a lot in a character-driven film such as this). Did he deserve the Best Director Oscar? Oh yes.

As mentioned earlier, Conrad Hall deserves special mention for his cinematography. Great stuff.

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1 (English). The surrounds are used well, with an ambient soundstage, and good use of the subwoofer, and the main audio stream is crisp and clear so the (great) dialogue is reproduced well.

Alan Ball`s script is a character study of modern day America, played out from the perspective of a man in a mid-life crisis. Some complaints have cited how American Beauty is misogynistic, but this is untrue. The narrator is a man who is going through a point in his life where his perceptions have changed, and actually, his wife does come into the equation - sometimes in a positive light - and there is also the romance between Lestor and his Lolita. Although slightly un-PC perhaps, but towards the end something more substantial is expressed, and this is not just a case of lust over love. The other characters, such as the menacing Colonel Fitts and his son, Ricky, are portrayed well, developed and of course, flawed. Another justified Oscar winner as well.

The score is excellent, capturing the mood and atmosphere of the film. Newman`s music blends seamlessly into the background, and will occassionally raise into the foreground, always complimenting the scenes in which it is played.

Features

Self-proclaimed `Awards Edition` (Universal love to slap that label on when one of their films wins Best Picture), let`s see if this really has what it takes to justify five gongs...

We kick off with an audio commentary from director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball. The former speaks for the majority, exclaiming how he loves Conrad Hall`s lighting; loves the way this scene was written; and also reading out from what seems to be "Director`s Technical Terms: A-Z", as he seems to relish the opportunity of pointing out how every shot was achieved. Yes, it is interesting, especially for aspiring film-makers, but a bit more focus from Ball would have been good.

There is a 20 minute behind-the-scenes featurette, containing interviews with cast and crew on location and footage. Split into different categories (themed around a rose...the poster of the film), it is good, although perhaps a more definite (and longer) featurette would have been better.

A storyboard presentation is included with Mendes and Hall, and clocks in at over an hour. Like the commentary, the former does most of the talking, and this therefore may be testing at times, although Mendes` enthusiam for the subject material cannot be faltered. The storyboards themselves are good, but perhaps this should have been more concise with more weight being given to other extras.

Two trailers complete the package, the first being a teaser and the second being the theatrical. Whilst I like the latter, the teaser isn`t in that similar a style to the film, so audiences might have gone into the film expecting more, based on what they saw before its release.

The menus are completely static (but bright and artistically well designed nonetheless), and easy to navigate.

Conclusion

A film of deep complexity that can be read on many levels, some perhaps too analytical than others. Considering this is a modern Hollywood film it goes against the grain more than others, blending styles and idealogies that don`t suit the usual action or cliché mould.

The journey of Lester Burnham from when he `wakes up` to when he `goes to sleep` (and by the end perhaps wakes up the most) is poignant and ever-relevant in a 21st century society where what clothes you wear and car you drive speak more than you as a person. Kevin Spacey plays the role with an understanding that does indeed warrant the Oscar he received, and some of the best scenes in the film are directly, or once or twice indirectly, caused by Spacey. Downbeat, amusing and at times dramatic, he captures the way Ball and Mendes both pictured the lead character to be.

The supporting cast are strong and well suited for the roles, ranging from the disloyal Carolyn Burnham - Annette Bening in fine form - to the quiet love Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley) has for their daughter (Thora Birch). Special mention must go to the troubled Colonel Fitts, played by Chris Cooper, and also the ever-pouting and annoying Mena Suvari plays an ever-pouting and annoying character: nice easy job really, but one with added sentiment towards the end, my criticism of her is perhaps a little unjustfied!

The film is a glossy yet dark look at the state of America today, interestingly helmed by a Brit, but at least Mendes knows exactly what he is doing, as do the other members of the production.

At times funny, other times moving, American Beauty was the film of 1999, at least publicity and awards wise. Does it stand up now, four years later? Most definitely. With great replay value, this is proof that excellence can emerge from the US film industy, albeit rarely.

The disc itself is solid, with good to great presentation, and although the extras are slightly low on the ground (deleted scenes and a more detailed making-of would have been great) at least what we get is good enough.

A DVD worth it for the content alone, and due to a good disc, this comes very highly recommended. May turn some people`s noses up, but hey, the majority speaks, right?