American Beauty

[pyonir]

"I'm looking for the least amount of responsibility."

 

[burnedout]

Saw it for the first time last night. Not bad at all.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Yeeny

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: Yeeny
Kevin Spacey is just soooooooooooooooo yummy. And the movies pretty good too.

😉

Unfortunately for you, I'd probably have a better chance of getting him in the sack than you. 🙂

Either you are saying he is gay, or insulting me very badly. Please, be insulting me, for the love of God!!!

Kevin Spacey isn't gay. And Yeeny, what about Rob Thomas? Or would you rather be ravaged by them both at the same time...HAHAHA 😀

It's not confirmed, but his sexuality is very much questioned.

As is yours!

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Yeeny

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: Yeeny
Kevin Spacey is just soooooooooooooooo yummy. And the movies pretty good too.

😉

Unfortunately for you, I'd probably have a better chance of getting him in the sack than you. 🙂

Either you are saying he is gay, or insulting me very badly. Please, be insulting me, for the love of God!!!

Kevin Spacey isn't gay. And Yeeny, what about Rob Thomas? Or would you rather be ravaged by them both at the same time...HAHAHA 😀

It's not confirmed, but his sexuality is very much questioned.

As is yours!

How very witty.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Yeeny

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: Yeeny
Kevin Spacey is just soooooooooooooooo yummy. And the movies pretty good too.

😉

Unfortunately for you, I'd probably have a better chance of getting him in the sack than you. 🙂

Either you are saying he is gay, or insulting me very badly. Please, be insulting me, for the love of God!!!

Kevin Spacey isn't gay. And Yeeny, what about Rob Thomas? Or would you rather be ravaged by them both at the same time...HAHAHA 😀

It's not confirmed, but his sexuality is very much questioned.

As is yours!

How very witty.

Wow and I was just trying to be honest🙂

 

[exp]

Good movie, if a bit overrated. I enjoyed it enough to buy the DVD, though.

 

[novon]

People in the suburbs slowly go mad...the unfulfilment of American culture.

 

[SaltBoy]

Smile! You're at Mr. Smiley's!

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: tk149
Ok, I admit: I didn't get it.

I thought it was a great movie, but after I saw it, I could not think of why I liked the movie. This has been bothering me ever since I saw it.

Sure, some parts were humorous, but it was hardly a comedy.

Can someone please explain to me what this movie was about.

It's about selling out your dreams, losing the passion for life of your youth, the phony facade used to deceive yourself into accepting your sorry state, but most of all it's about 1 guy reviving his passion and breaking the chains of "success". Though many sub-plots are at work, they all compliment Kevin Spacey's character. On the face of it, Kevin Spacey(don't recall characters name) and his wife are "successful", the type of people that most aspire to become.

As the story unfolds, their relationship begins to reveal cracks, the neighbours across the street(the one with the Voyeuristic son) are a microcosm of Spacey's characters early life, exept on steroids. The neighbour Father is a figure of an unrelenting society demanding conformity, yet completely in denial of it's own desire not to conform. The Son is the non-Conformist who is willing to accept the persecutions of Society in order to stay True. The Mother is the Conformist who goes through life in a Canotonic(sp) state, always trying to do what Society says is the Right Thing, but always failing to live up to Societies strict rules.

Spacey's daughter is avoiding the state of the neighbours Mother, the Voyeur recognizes this similarity and finds in her the ability to Save her, unlike his failed attempts at saving his Mother.

The Daughter's girl friend is someone who aspires to be an Adult, conformity, self-deception, and all. She gets Saved when her Deception is realized and in a moment of Innocence Spacey commits a Selfless act that sets her life on a new path.

Spacey's wife doesn't understand Spacey's new direction, longing to remain Conformist and living in the comfort of that Conformity. So she seeks to root out the non-Conformist from her midst, Spacey not only was affecting how others thought of her, but he was also a painful reminder of the Youthfulness she once possessed. She was both drawn to joining him, but couldn't let go of the pressure placed upon her by Society. Before she could accomplish rooting the problem away, Society stepped in and did it for her.

Spacey's character accomplished 2 things, Freedom and Responsibility. His Freedom was realized in giving up all Society had given him for his Conformity, the death of Materialism, the pursuit of Happiness not the Dollar, the ending of the pursuit of Money and Power for Money's and Power's sake, and willing to accept "less" in order to receive "more". He realizes Responsibility when he commits the Selfless act. At his moment of Salvation, Fate, using Societies anger at him, steps in to Rapture the newfound soul, to spare Spacey from the toils of life, to prevent him from falling back into his previous sorry state.

American Beauty is aptly named, though it seems to emphasize ugliness, it does this to contrast Reality with Idealism, the Reality of America vs the Idealism of America. The "I am rich!" vs the "I am Free". It shows that America espouses an Idea it has no real understanding of, it lives in a Dream, nay,a Nightmare that grips it so tightly as to render the Dreams of it's Youth stillborn. It says that in order to realize Freedom, even if that leads to America's destruction, it is still better to be Free and True, then it is to be what it currently is, Enslaved and Deceived.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: tk149
Ok, I admit: I didn't get it.

I thought it was a great movie, but after I saw it, I could not think of why I liked the movie. This has been bothering me ever since I saw it.

Sure, some parts were humorous, but it was hardly a comedy.

Can someone please explain to me what this movie was about.

It's about selling out your dreams, losing the passion for life of your youth, the phony facade used to deceive yourself into accepting your sorry state, but most of all it's about 1 guy reviving his passion and breaking the chains of "success". Though many sub-plots are at work, they all compliment Kevin Spacey's character. On the face of it, Kevin Spacey(don't recall characters name) and his wife are "successful", the type of people that most aspire to become.

As the story unfolds, their relationship begins to reveal cracks, the neighbours across the street(the one with the Voyeuristic son) are a microcosm of Spacey's characters early life, exept on steroids. The neighbour Father is a figure of an unrelenting society demanding conformity, yet completely in denial of it's own desire not to conform. The Son is the non-Conformist who is willing to accept the persecutions of Society in order to stay True. The Mother is the Conformist who goes through life in a Canotonic(sp) state, always trying to do what Society says is the Right Thing, but always failing to live up to Societies strict rules.

Spacey's daughter is avoiding the state of the neighbours Mother, the Voyeur recognizes this similarity and finds in her the ability to Save her, unlike his failed attempts at saving his Mother.

The Daughter's girl friend is someone who aspires to be an Adult, conformity, self-deception, and all. She gets Saved when her Deception is realized and in a moment of Innocence Spacey commits a Selfless act that sets her life on a new path.

Spacey's wife doesn't understand Spacey's new direction, longing to remain Conformist and living in the comfort of that Conformity. So she seeks to root out the non-Conformist from her midst, Spacey not only was affecting how others thought of her, but he was also a painful reminder of the Youthfulness she once possessed. She was both drawn to joining him, but couldn't let go of the pressure placed upon her by Society. Before she could accomplish rooting the problem away, Society stepped in and did it for her.

Spacey's character accomplished 2 things, Freedom and Responsibility. His Freedom was realized in giving up all Society had given him for his Conformity, the death of Materialism, the pursuit of Happiness not the Dollar, the ending of the pursuit of Money and Power for Money's and Power's sake, and willing to accept "less" in order to receive "more". He realizes Responsibility when he commits the Selfless act. At his moment of Salvation, Fate, using Societies anger at him, steps in to Rapture the newfound soul, to spare Spacey from the toils of life, to prevent him from falling back into his previous sorry state.

American Beauty is aptly named, though it seems to emphasize ugliness, it does this to contrast Reality with Idealism, the Reality of America vs the Idealism of America. The "I am rich!" vs the "I am Free". It shows that America espouses an Idea it has no real understanding of, it lives in a Dream, nay,a Nightmare that grips it so tightly as to render the Dreams of it's Youth stillborn. It says that in order to realize Freedom, even if that leads to America's destruction, it is still better to be Free and True, then it is to be what it currently is, Enslaved and Deceived.

Nice write-up. Did you do that yourself or did you pluck it from some movie review site? 😀

 

[luv2chill]

One of my favorite films... First time I saw it in the theater as the end credits rolled I just sat in my seat going "wow". There's so much "food for thought". I can honestly say it changed some of my ideas about how the world works. I find myself to be a lot like Ricky. A few of his lines in the movie gave me chills because they hit so close to home.

Notice that the most "normal" people in the entire movie were the Jims 😀

l2c

 

[sandorski]

NFS4: Did it myself, but wouldn't be surprised if someone else already stated it. 😉

 

[Supermercado]

Great movie. Haven't seen it in a few years. Maybe I should watch it this weekend if I have time.

 

[Ladies Man]

...my job consists of basically masking my contempt for the assholes in charge, and, at least once a day, retiring to the men's room so I can jerk off while I fantasize about a life that doesn't so closely resemble hell. I've spent fourteen years being a whore for the advertising industry. The only way I could save myself now is to start firebombing.

Whatever. Management wants you gone by the end of the day.

What kind of severance package is "management" prepared to give me? Considering the information I have about our editorial director buying pu$sy with company money.

Which I'm sure would interest the I.R.S., since, technically, it does constitute fraud. And some of our advertisers and rival publications might like to know about it as well. Not to mention Craig's wife.

What do you want?

One year's salary, with continued benefits.

That's not going to happen.

What if I throw in a little sexual harassment charge?

Against who?

Against you.

Can you prove you didn't offer to save my job if I'd let you blow me?

Man. You are one twisted f@ck.

Nope. Just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose.



I love this movie

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Ladies Man
...my job consists of basically masking my contempt for the assholes in charge, and, at least once a day, retiring to the men's room so I can jerk off while I fantasize about a life that doesn't so closely resemble hell. I've spent fourteen years being a whore for the advertising industry. The only way I could save myself now is to start firebombing.

Whatever. Management wants you gone by the end of the day.

What kind of severance package is "management" prepared to give me? Considering the information I have about our editorial director buying pu$sy with company money.

Which I'm sure would interest the I.R.S., since, technically, it does constitute fraud. And some of our advertisers and rival publications might like to know about it as well. Not to mention Craig's wife.

What do you want?

One year's salary, with continued benefits.

That's not going to happen.

What if I throw in a little sexual harassment charge?

Against who?

Against you.

Can you prove you didn't offer to save my job if I'd let you blow me?

Man. You are one twisted f@ck.

Nope. Just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose.



I love this movie

Haha, classic scene😛

 

[Red Dawn]

I thought K-Pax was good too. I like all of Spacey's movies.

 

[SilverThief]

Excellent movie. The ending freaked me out.

 

[SilverThief]

The Usual Suspects
Now thats a classic
😎

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: SilverThief
The Usual Suspects
Now thats a classic
😎

I agree. What made that movie though was the surprise ending and after you saw it once it lost that element of surprise.

 

[BatmanNate]

I thought its inaccesibility was overspoken. Very good film, as was the usual suspects. That made my head reel the first time I saw it.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: tk149
Ok, I admit: I didn't get it.

I thought it was a great movie, but after I saw it, I could not think of why I liked the movie. This has been bothering me ever since I saw it.

Sure, some parts were humorous, but it was hardly a comedy.

Can someone please explain to me what this movie was about.

It's about selling out your dreams, losing the passion for life of your youth, the phony facade used to deceive yourself into accepting your sorry state, but most of all it's about 1 guy reviving his passion and breaking the chains of "success". Though many sub-plots are at work, they all compliment Kevin Spacey's character. On the face of it, Kevin Spacey(don't recall characters name) and his wife are "successful", the type of people that most aspire to become.

As the story unfolds, their relationship begins to reveal cracks, the neighbours across the street(the one with the Voyeuristic son) are a microcosm of Spacey's characters early life, exept on steroids. The neighbour Father is a figure of an unrelenting society demanding conformity, yet completely in denial of it's own desire not to conform. The Son is the non-Conformist who is willing to accept the persecutions of Society in order to stay True. The Mother is the Conformist who goes through life in a Canotonic(sp) state, always trying to do what Society says is the Right Thing, but always failing to live up to Societies strict rules.

Spacey's daughter is avoiding the state of the neighbours Mother, the Voyeur recognizes this similarity and finds in her the ability to Save her, unlike his failed attempts at saving his Mother.

The Daughter's girl friend is someone who aspires to be an Adult, conformity, self-deception, and all. She gets Saved when her Deception is realized and in a moment of Innocence Spacey commits a Selfless act that sets her life on a new path.

Spacey's wife doesn't understand Spacey's new direction, longing to remain Conformist and living in the comfort of that Conformity. So she seeks to root out the non-Conformist from her midst, Spacey not only was affecting how others thought of her, but he was also a painful reminder of the Youthfulness she once possessed. She was both drawn to joining him, but couldn't let go of the pressure placed upon her by Society. Before she could accomplish rooting the problem away, Society stepped in and did it for her.

Spacey's character accomplished 2 things, Freedom and Responsibility. His Freedom was realized in giving up all Society had given him for his Conformity, the death of Materialism, the pursuit of Happiness not the Dollar, the ending of the pursuit of Money and Power for Money's and Power's sake, and willing to accept "less" in order to receive "more". He realizes Responsibility when he commits the Selfless act. At his moment of Salvation, Fate, using Societies anger at him, steps in to Rapture the newfound soul, to spare Spacey from the toils of life, to prevent him from falling back into his previous sorry state.

American Beauty is aptly named, though it seems to emphasize ugliness, it does this to contrast Reality with Idealism, the Reality of America vs the Idealism of America. The "I am rich!" vs the "I am Free". It shows that America espouses an Idea it has no real understanding of, it lives in a Dream, nay,a Nightmare that grips it so tightly as to render the Dreams of it's Youth stillborn. It says that in order to realize Freedom, even if that leads to America's destruction, it is still better to be Free and True, then it is to be what it currently is, Enslaved and Deceived.

Somewhere in there, I think you answered my question. Thanks!

*Bows to Master*

 

[kuk]

Just watched it for my fourth time ...
I'm still thinking about a lot of things that were said here.

And BTW, Thora Birch is great. Did anyone see Ghost World?