Spacey gives his best performance yet; Bening does well (for once not being grating). Supporting cast is good. This film makes no claim to attempts at realism and is more akin to a weird, unimportant dream. A film that keeps you interested but has nothing that compels to watch again. This entire film feels as though one is being transported through an insomniatic skism- the super-dysfunctional mother (Bening) that most of saw growing up at a friend's house (but never our own). A Dad, basically an O.K. but uninterested (but interesting) guy in a doldrum-rut finding a spark to reignite his libido/life (daughter's g/f- played by Mena Suvari) and augmented by new neighbor kid/pot dealer played very intriquingly by Wes Bentley. The daughter seems to be, along with new boyfriend (Wes) one of the few with 2 feet planted firmly in reality. Well-known TV-quality actor Scott Bakula finally portrays the role he seemed destined for- the stereotypical gay (as portrayed in the non-PC days when "gay" roles entering mainstream film) other neighbor. Chris Cooper- the hugely underrated actor (he was the father in "October Sky") is too disturbing as a retired hardcore Marine Colonel and Wes' father. This is a melodrama played up for the moment due to a lack of current input of fakish Lawrence Kasden fare, but without the fake 'tude attached- the psycho-tropic flippantism still intact. See this movie, be entertained for a while then go see other films.
Review of American Beauty
