1999, R, 121 minutes

Every once in a while a film comes along out of nowhere and completely knocks you on your ass. For me, American Beauty was exactly this type of film. It is a true and uncompromised masterpiece, and it also represents the exact reason I love to go to the movies.

American Beauty isn't a big movie with fast car chases and gigantic explosions -- it's a small movie about a suburbanized man named Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) and his boring little life. His wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) only keeps him around to maintain her happy home-maker image, his daughter Jane (Thora Birch) despises him for simply existing, and to top it all off he gets absolutely no respect at work. In the first minute we learn that this is going to be the last year of Lester's miserable existence, but the point is that he's barely alive to begin with. When he meets his daughter's friend Angela (Mena Suvari), he is inspired by the way he feels about her and decides to make a change. For the first time in years, he starts living again.

What's so clever about American Beauty is how American it really is. I've never seen a film that so accurately portrayed the people and values of today's society without sounding like some lame after school special. There's a character for everyone to relate to in one way or another, even if you don't want to admit it. Some people are obsessed with money, some only care about looks, some are afraid of who they really are, and some just sort of passively live without question. American Beauty is about how precious our insignificant lives really are and that we shouldn't take for granted the beauty of it all.

I loved every aspect of this film on every level. The use of vivid and symbolic colors make it feel more like a novel than a movie, and the sharp dialogue is both funny and revealing. This social dissection of our culture will most likely be remembered as a cinematic masterpiece and deserves to be studied for years to come.

As for the background of American Beauty, there really isn't much to use for comparison. Sam Mendes is a first time director off of Broadway and screenwriter Alan Ball had previously done some writing for a few sitcoms. Of course, when working with an experienced cinematographer like Conrad L. Hall (A Civil Action) and an excellent ensemble cast, it would be difficult to make anything less than a decent movie. Frankly, the fact that this film was made by a first time director is... creepy. Give credit to Steven Spielberg (who outbid several other producers for the script) for putting his trust in Mendes and not worrying about the business side of things.

Last but certainly not least, is the cast. Kevin Spacey's performance is the essence of perfection. He does a superb job of never once over-acting in a role that's full of moments where a less-experienced actor probably would have. Annette Bening does a great job as Carolyn -- always maintaining that slightly unbalanced feeling as if she could snap at any second. Wes Bently, Chris Cooper, Mena Suvari, and Thora Birch all give excellent performances as well, each adding a little extra personality to his or her character.

If you've ever felt trapped or frustrated about your life (who hasn't?) or if you're just looking to be entertained, American Beauty is the film for you. It's a beautiful combination of humor, drama, and even a little suspense.