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These posts are the creation of Doran L. Barton (AKA Fozziliny Moo). To learn more about Doran, check out his website at fozzilinymoo.org.

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American Beauty got me all hot

Posted: 23 March 2004 at 03:51:45

I couldn't sleep. I tried to sleep, but I couldn't. I think it was primarily because I was too hot. I just spent a couple hours soaking in the bathtub and finishing the American Beauty DVD on my laptop. A few days ago I decided it was time to watch this film with the audio commentary on. It took me three viewing sessions, I think, to watch the whole thing.

American Beauty I really enjoyed the commentary. It was done by director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball. Most of the commentary was Mendes with the occasional chuckle or expression of astonishment by Ball.

American Beauty is probably still my number one favorite movie. Some of my friends jokingly say it's because I can relate to one of the plotlines in the movie which involves an older man (Kevin Spacey) fantasizing about his high school-age daughter's best friend (Mena Suvari).

Ha ha.

But, really, this film is about honesty -- every aspect of it. Some people aren't honest with others. Some aren't honest with themselves. Some people are too honest. Others aren't honest enough.

In addition to honesty, there is this message -- that probably should have been hidden better -- that there is beauty in everything... even death.

This film was a bit controversial when it came out because it depicts or implies a number of social taboos including:

  • Sexual relationships between an adult and a minor
  • Extra-marital relationships
  • Child abuse
  • Illegal drug use
  • Illegal drug use by children
  • Illegal drug peddling by children
  • Dysfunctional families
  • Very dysfunctional families

You look at that list and you think, "Good heavens! Who in the world would want to see a movie like this?!" But when you see the film these things are not rubbed in your face. They're presented in an honest, believable, non-sensationalized way. These kinds of things could very well be happening in any seemingly normal suburban America neighborhood and American Beauty is honest enough to admit it. The film doesn't condone these things, but it doesn't condemn them either. That's really not the point of the film.

I really enjoyed Mendes' commentary. It's obvious he's very proud of this film (Mendes won best director Oscar and Golden Globe awards for it). He doesn't pat himself on the back or anything like that. He just points out very cool nuances that other cast or crew members did. Like the way the light reflects off the corner of Thora Birch's during a close-up shot as she's watching television or the way Conrad Hall lit a window at night to make it look convincingly daylit.

Anyway, I love this film. My only disappointment is that Mendes talks about the outtakes from the film in the commentary, but there are no outtakes featured on the DVD.

Here are a couple of shots Mendes' commentary enlightened me on:

Kevin Spacey
A now buff Lester (Kevin Spacey) is perplexed at Angela's (Mena Suvari) reaction
Thora Birch
Jane (Thora Birch) watches Ricky's movie intently on the television. Mendes points out the beautiful reflection of light in the corner of her eye.
Chris Cooper
Mendes points out how Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper) is almost always in the dark shadows... just like his character.

Alright. I'm probably cooled off somewhat now. I'm going to go try to go back to bed.