by Zachary Heil

Created on: February 13, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood; this is my street; this is my life. I am 42 years old; in less than a year I will be dead. Of course I don't know that yet, and in a way, I am dead already -Kevin Spacey narrating in American Beauty

Now this is easily one of my most favorite movies of all times. The foreshadowing in the opening line is nearly forgotten when his narration continues. Instead we're presented with a hopelessly dull character. Someone "sedated" to life, as he later narrates. He's become almost an automaton, and it has made him so cynical that what is to follow becomes one of the greatest movie experiences ever filled with humor, love, tragedy, and so much more. The changes he makes in his life are seen as absurd to all the people he knows in the film. He's re-inventing himself, becoming a new person, and finally for the first time in his life he feels that he is actually LIVING. He's encompassed in the wonder of nature that surrounds him, and he makes it a point to try and lift away the veil of content that blind the people around him. A parallel to Jesus, or possibly Timothy Leary?! Regardless, his character is addicting and should be an example for the 9 to 5'ers out there who forget to...well, stop and smell the roses.

I'd like to throw in some stupid analogy or something along those lines. If American Beauty were a burger, it could physically be represented by the BK quad stacker with everything. 4 beef patties, and all the condiments desirable, in between two simple yet ultimately important buns. Those buns are the foreshadowed movie opening line....and the narration at the end of the film. Where we see all the beautiful things that where in Lesters life. We see all the things that he did at some point in time hold dear. All the while the camera is hovering over his slumped body and puddle of blood surrounding his head. A montage of his wife, his child, and all the important people that contributed to his last year of life. A brief reiteration of the significance of things taken for granted. The themes, symbolism, and character relationships are the finest ever presented to the silver screen. The screenplay is heralded for its originality and wonderful overall importance in modern culture. For anyone that has never seen this film, I suggest purchasing it. Don't rent it, buy it. Not only will you get to enjoy a great film through and through, you'll also get the time to reflect on this minuscule blip in time that you call your life.

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