Lust, despair and the American Dream
July 30, 2008 comedy, drama 
“American Beauty” takes a hard look at the fantasy and reality of modern life
Like the ruby-red roses that fill nearly every frame, “American Beauty” is much more than a pretty picture.
It’s a scathing portrait of suburbia. A drama beset with secrets and scandal. And, most importantly, an exploration of middle-aged desperation infused with one final flicker of hope.
From all appearances, Lester Burnham has the perfect life: a beautiful wife, a loving daughter, a nice house in a quiet neighborhood. It’s the middle-class American Dream.
In reality, he’s lonely, depressed and sex-deprived, an empty shell of a man suddenly feeling his age. He wants a change. He has a mid-life crisis.
So Lester (Kevin Spacey) quits his job and develops a crush on his teenage daughter’s hot friend, much to the chagrin of his family. As Lester rediscovers the good things in life — weed, working out, a 1970 Pontiac Firebird — his perfect world crumbles.
His wife Carolyn (Annette Bening), a Type A real estate agent, gets cozy with a rival. Meanwhile, their daughter (Thora Birch) becomes friends with the weird boy next door.
These are not nice people, at least in the classic sense.
Lester can be lazy and lecherous, an egotistical schmuck who cares more for his own comfort and amusement than his family. Carolyn, let’s face it, is a (b)itch.
And Janie and her friends? Despite the surly selfishness typical of teenagers the world over, they actually come across as human beings.
“American Beauty” walked away with five Oscars at the 2000 Academy Awards, including best picture, best director (Sam Mendes), best screenplay (Alan Ball) and best actor (Kevin Spacey).
It’s a moving, highly memorable film.
***
“American Beauty” plays at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. tonight at The Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $7.50.
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