American Beauty - 8 years later

alveraz said:
I think you can also look at Magnolia, Happiness, The Big Chill, Short Cuts, Parenthood, and a small team of other films that shot for the quirky emsemble film that was loved or hated.
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I don't see AB as an ensemble film. It's very clear from the opening shots that it is Lester's story. Everything that happens revolves around him as the protagonist even if there is a wide cast of supporting characters and both his daughter and wife have their own subplots.
 
I think the film is an underrated master piece, I loved it when I first saw it and still do. Hell its one of the films that helped me realize what I want to do...make films!!
 
What I don't get is how the acting could be considered "Brilliant" 8 years ago and then all of a sudden it's subpar.

Great acting is great acting imo.
 
Super Trooper, I don't think that's necessarily true. Obviously nothing changes in the performance itself, but the times change. People change. Culture changes. Acting styles change. But most importantly, the way we look at the performer changes. In other words, the performer either proves in the subsequent years that he indeed created a great performance, or just got lucky and fell into the right role. Kevin Spacey has done absolutely nothing new and exciting in his career since. That sours me on him when I look back at the movie. I think, "this guy has been pretty boring in a lot of movies. He's not as great as I thought he was." And sure you're mixing the context of the movie with real life but that's impossible not to do. Either way, it's a different world than it was in 1999 and I think that's why there's so much hatred towards the movie now.

But anyway, I like to see American Beauty getting all this love. To me, the paper bag scene was one of the most memorable moments I've ever had in a movie theatre. Hearing that music for the first time and seeing that perfectly constructed scene was very inspiring. I felt passionate about film again.
 
I have a hard time watching any movie that tries so hard to be "deep." I hated it then, I would probably hate it more now.
 
"Kevin Spacey has done absolutely nothing new and exciting in his career since."

Spacey took over the director role at the Old Vic in London around 2003-ish. He has been acting and directing many shows ever since. And even before then, he was doing lots of stage work. My friends saw him in The Iceman Cometh years ago in London and we're blown away.

Currently, he is starring in A Moon for Misbegotten.
 
David Jimerson said:
Maybe one day everyone will come around on "Good Will Hunting," too!
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Hey! I was in 'Good Will Hunting!' :-Dum(DBG):

Objectively speaking, it was a decent movie. Not one of my favorites but I'm proud it did so well.
 
alveraz said:
I think you can also look at Magnolia, Happiness, The Big Chill, Short Cuts, Parenthood, and a small team of other films that shot for the quirky emsemble film that was loved or hated.
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Man, I love "Happiness." A slow, burning drama with enough of a sardonic and dark plot to somehow keep you laughing. Not many people I know liked that film or could even sit through it.


AloysiusK said:
"Kevin Spacey has done absolutely nothing new and exciting in his career since."
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Will the world ever forgive him for and move past "K-PAX?" :laugh:
 
Yes, DC's scene in "Good Will Hunting" is truly riveting...who, who,WHO, SOLVED THE MATH PROBLEM???!!!! DC's anxiety just jumps out at the viewer, you could cut it with a knife...and for a brief moment you forget the film is about "Will Hunting." ;-)
 
For carrying that movie, I should've got paid a lot more money. :happy:
 
American Beauty is a great script. The writing by Ball is great. Some films stay great over time and some don't. And that has to do with life and how our views changes over time. The same goes for films that were not great when it was released, but people learn to appreciate it many years down the road. Some may describe those films as a film ahead of our time. In all, try to create films that withstands the passage of time.
 
I think it is a great movie. My favorite take on this is all the irony that is constantly taking place:

-the hard line military guy who hates gays but turns out to be one
-the main character who is so lost, but in the end when he reaches a point where he is happy with his life, he gets killed
-the outspoken "slut" who acutally turns out to be a shy virgin

Spacy was at his best in this, and the only other role where I can say I really got into his character was seven.
 
cecil995 said:
I think it is a great movie. My favorite take on this is all the irony that is constantly taking place:

-the hard line military guy who hates gays but turns out to be one
-the main character who is so lost, but in the end when he reaches a point where he is happy with his life, he gets killed
-the outspoken "slut" who acutally turns out to be a shy virgin

Spacy was at his best in this, and the only other role where I can say I really got into his character was seven.
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same here.
 
I had the same thoughts about this movie and 9/11 -- white people's suburban angst seemed way less justified after that, and AB felt less relevant.

I finally watched it again this year for the first time since before 2001. I still love it.
 
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