The tagline for this movie, was "Look Closer", but another one, a Spacey film as well, and one of my favorites, produced another applicable premise, things are not always as they appear. We are introduced, upon voice over, to life on Robin Hood Trail, in an unnamed, and unimportant, city, but definitely in suburban America. There are white picket fences, two car garages, flower gardens, neighbors who bring gifts to new neighbors, basically, at a glance, a peaceful happy world. However, if you indeed, look closer, as this movie does, you will see that underneath the layers, all is not well, in suburbia.

The movie Hero, a guilty pleasure, includes a speech by Geena Davis about peeling back layers of an onion, in order to find what is really there. American Beauty takes this premise a step further, by showing us, slowly, what happens when those layers become exposed, and their effects on the people involved. Lester Burnham, a self professed "gigantic loser" , his wife Carolyn, and daughter Jane have a perfect home, filled with the sounds of Lawrence Welk, expensive furniture, and nightly dinners at the kitchen table. However from its early moments, the layers begin to come off, and the image of contentment, is quickly shattered. I really cannot get into anything more involving the plot, because it would ruin the magic and power that the unveiling holds. Suffice to say, as my friend turned to me and said, you think you know what is going to happen, and regardless of if you are right or not, there’s no way you could foresee the route it's going to take to get there.

American Beauty succeeds, where Happiness failed miserably in my eyes.   It takes a look into a world that I’ve stated exists out there. It is the world, just this side of reality, in the shadows and darkness, that we are afraid to admit is there, but that we know really is, and are scared that it does. It is full of brutal honesty, with lines that sting when you hear them, and situations, however realistic, that will make you squirm, and even shiver in your seat, as I did several times.  It will make you laugh, nervously at times, because of the humor, but more because you can relate to realism of the situations shown.  It deals candidly, with mid-life crisis, obsession, homophobia, insecurity, possessiveness, and ultimately, the fear and repurcussions of just letting go.  The wonderfully plotted screenplay, combined with some effective imagery, and 70s' style music, create the emotion, and effect, that you are indeed, as newcomer Wes Bentley’s character states, watching America’s Weirdest Home Videos. The transformations, and results are shocking, and scary, in both their realism, and intensity.

The performances here are all first rate, and top of the line, if not a bit shocking as well. If I had to pick out of all of them, I’d single out Spacey, because he’s a favorite of mine, and doesn’t disappoint here, ranging emotions with a natural ease. Bentley is a newcomer, who won out over several of Hollywoods hot young actors, I heard, to get this role. He bears a striking resemblance, both in looks, and acting style, to the wonderful Joaquin Phoenix. It is worth seeing, for no other reason, than for their performances, as well as those of Bening, Birch, Suvari, and even a smarmy Peter Gallagher.