Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

American Beauty
1999
****½
Director: Sam Mendes
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Chris Cooper, Thora Birch

A wonderful drama about a man who hits midlife crisis and completely reinvents himself. Alan Ball's Oscar winning script is a funny, moving and sharp-eyed look at life in American suburbia, but it's a shame the story has to conclude with a gun shot. Kevin Spacey deserved an Academy Awards for his flashy performance but Annette Bening is terribly hammy as his wife. Sam Mendes made his name in the theatre and his film debut won altogether five Academy Awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography (Conrad Hall).