The Duke's American Beauty Review� 9/99

Okay, so I saw "American Beauty" before work tonight, and I have to say that this is a great film.

This is a strange and engaging movie that one must see with others in order to have someone to discuss with afterwards, similar to another great film from this year, "Election." I really wish someone else in the forum has seen "American Beauty" because I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!

Okay, here's a non-spoiler roundup but I won't go into detail until it is released wide:

The acting is top-notch with credit to all involved, and expect one or more to be nominated for a Golden Globe and/or Academy Award, and possibly an accolade for the movie itself as well. Actually, I worry that this may be the type of film, like "L.A. Confidential," that film lovers all really enjoy and give standing ovations, but come Award time is left out.

It's deservedly rated R for some language and sexual situations, but doesn't go overboard with either. Expect to be surprised in the "sexual situations" category. That might seem like a spoiler, but it isn't since you won't know it's coming.

"American Beauty" makes no attempt to preach a moral nor would one work because we are seeing the most extreme of every personal and family stereotype, and very humorously