jimmymoles (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} jimmymoles) wrote,@ 2008-03-17 01:23:00 |
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| Current location: | Toledo, OH |
| Current mood: |  contemplative |
| Entry tags: | american beauty, films, friends |
Post-Film Thoughts
I just finished watching "American Beauty," Academy Award® Best Picture winner for 1999 - along with four other awards, including directing, original screenplay, Kevin Spacey (lead actor) and cinematography. (Annette Bening was unfortunately outshined by Hilary Swank, who won the Oscar® for lead actress for "Boys Don't Cry.")
The movie really captures life in general. (I particularly loved the use of xylophone by Thomas Newman in the theme. I'm sure most people have heard it.) The unhappiness of life comes into play - gee, I look forward to life now...
Ms. Bening's character Carolyn Burnham says in the film, "The only person in life you can count on is yourself." I totally disagreed/disagree with her. Friends and family, duh! I was just talking to one of my friends today which totally negates that very quote. Wouldn't life not really be worth living if you had no one to talk to or befriend? I'm glad I have such wonderful friends that I know would always be there for me - thick and thin, blah blah blah.
Sure, she has a point though. You are the only one who makes the decisions at the end of the day. BUT having no one to help you through the decision-making process would be brutal.
The daughter of Mr. Spacey's character falls in love with the somewhat creepy neighbor. In a scene toward the end the neighbor tells her she is much more beautiful than her friend (the one her father is eying) because she isn't plain and ordinary - she is different and unique. I thought that was a well done scene, as well.
The ending left me in tears, but was fitting - just as promised in the opening monologue.
