American Beauty is an absolutely terrible movie. Anybody who has any morals should not like this film. It is a laboriously long film that exlploits teenagers and is very vulgar and lame. It is a degrading piece of garbage that never should have been made. Why it won so many Oscars is amazing! Maybe the academy is taking more to trash these days though.

I can not believe that this picture got best picture! I hadn't seen it before then so had to go rent it. I was enormously disappointed. This movie is about as highly rated as Magnolia. Both movies suck~

This film is brilliant and definitely Oscar worthy. I was quite happy with the performances of Kevin Spacey (although his politics and mine rarely meet) and Annette Bening. Kevin Spacey delivers his best performance since The Usual Suspects, and I've never seen Annette Bening better. The plot development was slightly sketchy. However, the character development which really is the basis of the movie is done very well with almost no equal. The movie does deal with some racey subjects though, so I know that many will dislike the movie simply based on that. For those of you who don't mind though, I highly recommend this film.

Although "American Beauty" has a few moments that are insightful, wondrous, or comical, I can't help but to feel that it was overrated and overhyped. As a family drama, it serves its purpose in exposing the abnormal behind the facade of normal, but the characters feel too contrived to come across as genuine all too often. They are like cardboard cutouts adorned with quirks and mannerisms to make them feel human, but they are still cardboard cutouts none the less. The biggest turn-off about the film is every line that comes out of Lolita-ish cheerleader Angela's mouth: to be fair to Alan Ball, the screenwriter, how can a fourty year old man know how a seventeen year old girl thinks or speaks realistically? And Kevin Spacey's portrayal of Lester Burnham was just the moment the Academy was waiting for to recognize this man's tremendous talent, but I can think of a dozen roles off the top of my head in which Kevin played with more panache and skill! To quote liza5761om, I have taken the advice of the tagline, I have looked closer and from what I've seen of this picture it is probably better to stand far away and squint: "American Beauty" doesn't fare well under close scrutiny.

This film is so powerful that I sat down and realized just how much I connect with it. This is a straight up human movie. This is a story for real people. Watching this movie changed my entire outlokk on life. We only have so long to live. We should love life and live it to the fullest. Ricky's bag monolouge nearly brought me to tears. I'll love this movie forever. It deserves to be more than #7 on the list. I highly recommend this movie to anyone. It's deep beauty will touch you the way it touched me. And it's true; sometimes there is so much beauty in the world...

what can i say, i loved this movie. words cannot describe how good this movie was. this movie acually changed the way i thought, the way i viewed life. amazing performances by the entire cast, best ensamble cast scince magnolia. there are so many beautiful things about this movie, like ricky fitz's bag monolouge, it almost brings me to tears every time i hear it, or kevin spacy's monolouge at the end of the movie. here is a movie that everyone can relate to, in one way or another, a movie about humans and finding that which was once lost, life. its about living again, and its not to late. people say that the end is too depressing but its not depressing at all. the ending of this movie is...beautiful. this is one of the best, if not the best film ever produced. it deserves best picture. a must see. sometimes theres so much beauty in the world......

It was good. HOwever, I'm not sure It'll be remembered for all time. The movie stayed alive because Kevin Spacey was in it. The ending was very sad too, but I didn't see any emotion in Kevin Spacey's daughter's (in the movie) face when she realized her father was dead. It was ok.

I had truly mixed feelings about this. When I got done watching it the first time, I thought to myself...Wierd but I had to see it again. Very unique story line and plot. It is well worth the first or second viewing.

The first time I saw this movie, I left the theatre shocked. This movie told the whole truth not only about American families, but all families around the world! Annete Bening was stunning, Thora Birch and Mena Suvari both were incredible, Wes Bentley was unbelievable but it was Kevin Spacey's role made me love him completely, what an acting! The role of Lester was difficult and Spacey made it to perfection.

Early on, I realized that the title, among so many other things about this movie, was meant to be sarcastic. It's obvious from the opening scene that there is not going to be anything even remotely related to the word "beauty" involved. In fact, had its creators been looking for a more descriptive straightforward title they could easily have come up with "The Ugly American". After the initial shot of ugly, my brain, conditioned for such occasions long ago in the 60's and 70's, starts telling me that I will now have to switch into the late 90's, hip, nihilistic, black comedy mode. Then I remember, Whoops! I think my warranty on this mode ran out sometime during the 80's! The result is that now, when I'm faced with this brand of tripe I find it harder and harder to forgive the "movie makers" for several things. Number one, I can't forgive them for insulting my intelligence…crud is crud even when it wins three or more Oscars. Number two; I can't forgive them for taking my money in exchange for this crud even if I did wait to see it at a cheap seats theater. Number three - and this is the big one - I cannot forgive them for their basic statement that because they have found yet another artistic witty, and original way to present crud and, in the process, also managed to convince a panel of lost souls that they deserved national recognition for it, that we should all "grow up" and thank our lucky stars that these forward thinking "artists" have given us something with which to be entertained, educated and dog-gone-it, perhaps shed yet another layer of that pesky morality thing that seems to keep popping up as it continues to die. In other words, if you're really with the times you will genuflect to the golden statue as you swallow this crud regardless of the fact that it stinks on ice. Pardon me while I get my gag reflexes under control. Unable to ever switch into the proper mode, it was easy for me to see the direction and ultimate destination of "American Beauty". It starts out ugly, moves quickly into even uglier and ends with a violent, crashing, ugly grand finale which makes "War of the Roses" (Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner) seem like a little, domestic squabble. Since viewers are treated to generous portions of perversion, violence, psychotic behavior, irritating teenage angst, pathetic mid-life crises, and a three-layer selection of dysfunctional families, there is a little ugliness for every age group and personal taste (or distaste). Add to this the fact that not one character in the entire film has even one redeeming characteristic or the ability to elicit the slightest bit of sympathy and you have yet another great reason to NOT go to the movie theater.

What in the heck is so great about this movie! I thought the plot was lame and the acting! It jus sucked oevrall!

Out of all the films I have seen in my life none have ever touched me so deeply and intimatly as American Beauty. This film is my favorite film. I'm not just saying that, it actually changed how I saw things. I related most to Ricky Fitz the young man living next door to the Burnums. The honesty and gorgeouse story are only out shined by the powerful performances given by the best ensemble cast since Magnolia. Everytime Ricky gives the speech on all the beauty in the world I cry. It is so touching and so personal,I cannot see how people cannot be moved by its simple and never before touched message.I am glad this last best picture of the year of this decade was American Beauty. It was the perfect sumation of American life and our new found spirituality. I will always hold this film high as one of the best if not the best ever produced.It will always be in my heart. Sometimes...there's so much beauty...in this world...

refreshingly different and ironically surrealistic. i thoroughly enjoyed watching it, although i think the all-star cast gave it most of it's fun-ness.

Justly deserved to win the acadamy awards. An incredible mix of plot, drama, humor and great acting.

If any film could be a fine wine, American Beauty is it. Compelling with strong leads, leaving the viewer with a genuine empathy for each character. It's beautifully filmed and very touching. I am in love, and it is with this film. If you miss this film you may miss one of the last masterpiece's in modern cinema.

This movie takes everything that is considered taboo or nasty and shows people that stuff like that really can happen. By the end of the movie, you are definitely left w/this weird feeling, like you wish things hadn't been so bad for the neighbor, you wish Spacey's character hadn't gotten shot...what a good movie.

I can't believe this ordinary piece of crap got critical acclaim and that it received accolades for the writting. And don't tell me that it was so clever that the characters were thinly drawn - that just results in a whole film where every scene is unbelievably dumb - and we're supposed to be seeing humanity - no idea.

Well, if you have read any of my other movie reviews, you will know that it is not odd that I JUST saw this movie. I did hear great reviews of American Beauty and I know that it won best picture, however, I really had no clue what it was about. I was intrigued and captivated throughout the entire movie. Shocking, surreal yet eerily possible. The characters were definitely the extreme, however I am afraid that in this day and age, they weren't too far off the mark. Kevin Spacey and Annete Bening gave extraordinary performances. There are definitely some very disturbing issues being tackled, or explored, but this is surely a movie worth seeing. It was comedic as well as entertaining and thought provoking and ironic.

I was dumbfounded when Annette Benning did not win an Oscar.

I loved it and could watch it again and again. Acting fab. all around!

desrved every thing it won .Can only be compared to "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf".see them both NOW!

I truly thought the movie was great, my wife had seen it a year ago and raved about it, I just saw it recently and was very impressed...I enjoyed all the characters, thought the acting was superb and it was definitely Kevin Spacey's best performance to date (has put in several good performances). It was a sad look at our society, but quite thought provoking...Great ending!

A movie that makes you think about life and all the bad things that come along with it. It delves into the dark, taboo things of American society yet it makes you see the beauty in everyday life that we take for granted. Weird movie that keeps getting weirder, but in the end everything comes together and makes sense. Great writing, acting, and really funny!

Excellent movie with a unique plot and great actors. Kevin Spacey is seen to be slightly mental in the beginnning and not likable, as well. Yet, as the movie continues, he is a great character whom you feel for.

deserves all the praise it got !

American Beauty is a brilliantly crafted film that echoes John Cheever's "The Swimmer"--both are cautionary tales suggesting how easily lost we may become in search of the American Dream and how difficult it is to find our way home again. The powerful ending presents a narrative from the grave as Spacey's character, with Christlike forgiveness, dies for us and suggests the existence of a path that might take us through the thicket of materialism, egotism, and sexuality that characterizes the American landscape. Spacey's character sights a higher path during the long second before death; hopefully, we will see this "path less traveled" earlier in our own individual journey.

Awsome - This movie was painful to watch for all the characters became real as I recognized then to one degree or another in my own world!... Loved it!! Benning is great - so real! HOT too.

Excellent movie - it offered some interesting insight into suburban culture - often we only see what they want us to see - this movie showed what could happen if people looked deeper.

Although there were some very poignant moments in this film, it completely glorified a sick obsession that is not only illegal in all states (except maybe Arkansas) but morally depraved - I'm talking about pedophyllic behavior. The language of the 16 year old girl is right out of a white trash trailer park - it totally disgusted me.

Excellent movie! I really liked the storyline. It had a lot of suspense and black humor. The humor used was unlike the typical comedy movie (similar to Seinfeld). Plus, the movie was original and had a good cast of characters.

This one's for you, all you Eddie Bauer-wearing, SUV-driving, suburban-sprawl-inducing yuppies who think you are so superior. Annette Bening is stellar as the woman we love to hate ("notice how the handle on her pruning tool matches her gardening clogs? That's not an accident.")

I absolutely loved this movie! I have seen it three times, and find something new about it each time. The acting is great and the characters are so vivid and strong. I hope to buy the video so I can watch it many more times.

I felt that this movie was overrated and should not have been nominated and won an Academy Award. Kevin Spacey was just a middle age and lustful, sick man who was going through a middle age crisis. What's so new and award winning about this? There were better actors who should have won over Spacey in this category. Thank God Annette Bening didn't win for her whining and screaming, psycotic performance. This would have been another wasted award. The best scene in the movie was the McDonald scene where Spacey's character sees his wife with another man. Hopefully, next year the Academy really will pick a best picture.

Original, stellar preformances, excellent direction.

American Beauty gave everyone a dose of reality. Although apart of the upper middle class, they too had serious issues concerning family life and relationships.

I didn't like this movie that so many people raved about.

Well directed with a strange atmosphere. The actors were great and the dialogue was excellent.

This movie was extremely entertaining. The narration over the movie at the beginning and end were a definaite plus. The acting was spectacular. Also, the idea to show the rose pedals instead of nudity was ingenious and added to the classiness of the movie.

Look closer and you may find out that there are things about you that you might not like. This movie portrays the essence of life in middle class suburbia. That under this superfical happiness is a disturbing life. Very thought provoking and intriging. The fact that so many people related to this movie shows that we are all abonormal.

I don't need to see movies about affairs and an married man dreaming about a young girls. I hate that.

Cinemetography, screenplay, and Kevin Spacey makes this film a must see. It takes you behind closed doors into an upper middle class neighborhood. Kinky!

This was the weirdest movie I've seen this year. I think it was directed well. It isn't a good date movie or something you watch with your parents. The movie surprises you at the end. Good movie.

It was a very thought provoking movie. The existentialist thought promotes individuality and it is easy to relate to.

What can I say... WOW!!

An incredible movie. It combines drama with subtle comedy element. American Beauty also sends an incredible message that stirs emotion and stimulates the mind.

I liked this movie because it provides a very different outlook on traditional American life. The movie was entertaining, funny and insightful.

This movie makes you appreciate life and realize how you need to make your life worth living. It makes you appreciate the people and events around you.

Unfortunately, my expectations were way too high before watching this film. Everyone had told me how great it was, it had won multiple Oscars, etc. I still thought it was very good, but not great. Spacey and Benning were tremendous, the dialogue was funny and interesting, and the story was original. If I'd seen it on the night it opened, I quite possibly could have thought it was great. It was also good to see Scott Bakula back on the big screen with his most memorable role since Necessary Roughness.

As I watched "American Beauty," all I could think of was how it reflected the lives of many of my students and their parents (I teach elementary school). While Lester and Carolyn were certainly extreme examples, I don't think they were too far off from the self-absorbed, neglectful, and materialistic parents I come across all too often in my profession. It's interesting how people rush to blame schools for declining test scores without taking a careful look at what's going on within the family. Of course, as stated in the movie, "Never underestimate the power of denial."

This movie was over-rated. I heard so much good news since everyone was raving about it. But when I watched it, I felt uncomfortable watching because of the sex scenes between the man and the teenage girl who is my age.