Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Rod M on December 10, 1999 at 08:41:58:

As some of you know, they don't let me out much and at $8 a shot without the drinks and popcorn, I'm far too cheap to go to the theater often. But Regal just opened a monster cineplex in town and offered a free night at the movies. While the kids took in The Iron Giant, the wife and I got to see American Beauty.

It's a story of awakening, mid-life crisis and the joy of living. Kevin Spacey does an excellent job as the 40 something man that finally realizes that he's been wandering through life for the last 20 year. All men die, but few truly live. Annette Bening plays the spaced out, materialist wife quite admirably and the rest of the cast is quite good, particularly Wes Bentley as the weird young neighbor.

The film is a bit strange and disturbing at times, but all in all, one of the best of the year for real life drama.