A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: American Beauty

Date Viewed: 9/25/99

Details:

Kevin Spacey

Annette Bening

Thora Birch

Mena Suvari

Chris Cooper

Wes Bentley

Scott Bakula

Director: Sam Mendes

Score: +

The Review: This tragedy is difficult to categorize; some would call it a dark comedy. We know it is a tragedy, at least, from the first minute of voice-over by the primary character, Kevin Spacey, as a cubby-holed dead-end advertising lackey on the cusp of a mid-life crisis. Perceived as a loser by his real estate agent wife (Bening) and his teenage daughter (Birch), his estrangement has developed slowly. The family is on a hair-trigger. One catalyst for his transformation appears to be the arrival of new next-door neighbors -- including Chris Cooper in a chilling role as the father and an ex-Marine colonel -- in particular, their quiet and disturbing teenage son (Bentley). When Bentley is not (euphemistically) "running his own business" (guess!?), he is videotaping his perception of beauty in the world around him, which happens to include Spacey's daughter, dead birds, and paper bags blowing in the wind. A bit arty for my taste, but it serves to attract Birch. Another catalyst is Spacey's developing (albeit fantasy) infatuation with one of his daughter's girlfriends.

This complex and fascinating character study extends beyond Spacey and Bening's family into their immediate neighborhood.

The movie is an emotional roller-coaster, and certainly has its moments of high (albeit dark) humor. Spacey seems to enjoy this role, and watching him in it is also a joy; if only vicariously, one wants to cheer him on. He's making a real effort to crack his daughter's developing shell of teenage isolation and embarrassment at having such troublesome and annoying parents. He's also trying to thaw ice-queen Bening's tautly strung and superficial approach to her work and to their marital life. But neither attempt seems particularly successful. And once he starts sliding down the slope, things change rapidly. Anyone in a similar age group will be singing along with the 60's and 70's rock that peppers the soundtrack.

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