1. Watch out for those iconic characters. Peter Fonda was certainly an iconic character in Easy Rider; indeed, his sensitive drug dealer character seems a direct inspiration for the sensitive drug dealer in American Beauty. However, it's almost impossible today to watch Fonda in Easy Rider without thinking "My God! What an arrogant jerk!"
2. Yes, Lester Burnham's behavior toward his daughter's friend is creepy. Anyone who doubts this needs to ask themselves how they'd feel if their teenage sister, daughter, niece, etc, was the target of a similar crush by a man Lester Burnham's age. BTW, why was this behavior considered oafish when Al Bundy did it in Married, with Children and just plain cute when Lester did it in American Beauty?
3. The true test of American Beauty's classic status will come in about five years. In the meantime, I can't help recalling how many clichés I counted without once encountering that one scene that made me want to shout, "Damn the clicheés! This is one hell of a movie here." Oh, well. I guess I'm picking up the same headache you got during Rushmore.
4. For the record, I do love movies. I just have this odd tendency to prefer certain types of movies over others. For example, I just loved William H. Macy's performance in Gus Van Sant's Psycho -- even though the rest of the movie really stank. I'll forgive a bad movie if it contains just one scene that's truly memorable for some quality apart from sheer awfulness. But a good movie that is nevertheless devoid of any memorable scenes -- forget about it!

posted 11.09.99
Lenny Grossman writes:
First time I've been to your site. Added it to my favorites list so I can come back. Reason? American Beauty review. However, you are too hard on Lester. He begins to realize the shallow life he has led and does something to change it. That alone makes him "attractive" and not just a loser. I think one scene you overlook is the one in the middle of the movie when he tries to reconnect with his wife and she stonewalls his attempt at connection (through discussion and sex) by telling him to be careful of the sofa. It is a brilliant scene and redeems the character much earlier than you say. Spacey conveys the sadness for his lost relationship with his wife in this scene.
Also, the opening and closing lines directly mirror one of America's greatest plays called Our Town. Have you ever heard of it? In it, a selfish teenage girl realizes only in death the beauty in the smaller things of life "clocks ticking, warm baths, fresh sheets" but most importantly the love of her family. American Beauty is the Our Town for the end of the millenium, and just as brilliant.

The Flick Filosopher responds:
Glad you liked my American Beauty review. You're right: that sofa scene is brilliant, and marks the point at which Lester really realizes he has changed, perhaps beyond the point at which his wife can join him. But I still think he doesn't totally redeem himself until he realizes that his pursuit of Angela is uncool.
I've heard of Our Town, of course, but I've never seen it. From what I know about the play, your analogy between it and American Beauty seems pretty accurate.

posted 11.09.99
Jody Bower writes:
Just saw American Beauty and it was a transcendent experience for me. A movie that has Chris Cooper and Kevin Spacey acting together would get my vote anyway. I was practically writhing in my seat with the joy that comes from watching masters at the craft at work during their scene in the garage. And everyone else was just as good. What a delight!
What an amazingly fine line they walked with Lester's transformation. I've been convinced for years that men can do the midlife crisis one of two ways: either they try to do adolescence all over again but harder & faster & with more expensive toys (the route most go), or they can GROW UP. This is the first time I've seen a portrayal of someone who starts out on the "wrong" road and still finds his way to adulthood. Maybe my bias is wrong. Maybe I shouldn't be so judgmental about men who are going through this crisis. That's one of the things I took away from this movie. The other thing I took away from it is that life is perfect, even the shitty parts. Wes Bentley's speech about remembering the beauty stirred me to my soul. What a beautiful, beautiful film.
Hey, I also wanted to say that I read your "mail" bit a while ago and thought that the line "from someone who has a writing career to one who obviously would like to have one" was the ULTIMATE in condescension. Anyway it made me laugh out loud. As "one who has a writing career," I think you rock, girl!

The Flick Filosopher responds:
That garage scene was, I think, the highlight of the movie for me. So spectacularly underplayed...
And thanks for the vote of confidence!

posted 11.09.99
Clyde Wisham writes:
I just read your review of Courage Under Fire, and mostly I think you've nailed the flick. However, I think you were a bit too hard on Denzel Washington's portrayal of Lieutenant Colonel Serling.

When Serling riles up his tank troops, just before heading into battle, with "Let's kill 'em all," there's no feeling behind it -- not hate, not weariness, not irony, nothing.

The Flick Filosopher responds:
[my responding email was bounced back as undeliverable, but this is what I wrote]

Your point is taken. Perhaps that scene wasn't the best example of Washington's too-tight emotional restraint, but my criticism of his performance still stands.

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MaryAnn Johanson.
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