Sam Mendes' American Beauty (2000) doesnt seem to know what it is supposed to be. The first third is strictly sit-com, the second a good satire and the final third takes a turn for serious and grim drama. It is an attempt to poke fun at dysfunctional family drama and yet be a serious take on it at the same time. The film is even further broken apart by a few pretentious monologues on the "beauty of life" - or something like that. Although I have to somewhat laud it for making the characters rich enough and constructing a rather good storyline, the film stumbles a lot more than is forgivable. The form is sufficient, but far from spectacular. Especially the music is nicely quiet, but unimpressive and forgettable. The acting in American Beauty is good at best. Annette Bening is a bit too hyperactive and over-the-top; Kevin Spacey's bland face conveys nothing at all although he is a lot better than usually; Wes Bentley is stiff as he should be; Thora Birch is forgettable; Mena Suvari makes a fine yet unsurprising performance.
Score: 6 out of 10
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