Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

OK, I'm a physician, not a movie reviewer. However, when I saw there was only one of 700+ reviews that didn't recommend this movie, I decided to voice my opinion. (That's why we have this site, right?)

I have to admit, it has been a while since I saw American Beauty, however, I was not going to watch it again, just to write this review. I like myself a little to much to put my self through another 121 minutes of agony!

I know this probably won't be a popular opinion because the movie won so many awards, but here we go:

Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, a man who is completely sick of his life. This is the premise of this "dark comedy." I don't know that the word comedy should be used to describe this movie!

Lester leads us through the movie and we see him pleasure himself in the shower, (which he tells us he does regularly), fight with his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening), through his dinner against the wall, and lust after his daughter's friend Angela Hayes (played by Mena Suvari).

I think that his lust for the supposed teenage, Angela, despite the fact that he is married (although not happily), much older, and her friend's father is disturbing. I know he supposedly has a miserable life, but that's a little odd....

Now through the movie, Lester makes some changes. He meets the neighbor's son (Ricky) and smokes some pot with him (a good example set here!) and eventually leaves his job to work at a burger joint (Burger King, if you must know). While there, he catches his wife with her lover, another realtor in town as they go through the drive-thru. This was one of the few scenes I enjoyed as Carolyn squirmed around in her seat.

In the end, Lester ends up dead (they tell you that in the beginning), and his daughter (played by Thora Birch) ends up with Ricky.

The only good thing was the cinematography. There is some incredible camera work done in this film, but I wouldn't watch it just for that!

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening, however, I hope to never torture myself by watching this again. I guess it is a comment on our society. I'd rather not know.

In fact, I don't think I can torture myself with thinking about it any longer. I think I'll go back to writing on medical topics. Otherwise, I'll get depressed. I can't believe I paid to see it in the theater!


Recommended: No

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: None of the Above
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age