American Beauty MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -4

Carolyn Burnham (Annette Bening) desperately tries to project a "perfect" image of herself, her husband, Lester (Kevin Spacey), and their teenage daughter, Jane (Thora Birch). But in the opening scene we learn Jane hates her parents, especially her dad, who openly lusts after her best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). Lesters misery turns to drug-induced euphoria when 17-year-old Ricky (Wes Bentley), his next door neighbor, begins supplying him with marijuana. Lester quits his job, dares Carolyn to leave him, and openly pursues the flirtatious Angela. Carolyn begins an adulterous affair, and Jane turns to sex and Ricky. AMERICAN BEAUTY is receiving critical acclaim, but most agree that it is very disturbing. In fact, it will break your heart. Every character suffers from emotional isolation that eventually destroys two families. Think twice about seeing this film billed as a "comedy/drama."

Many of the laughs come from Lesters sexual frustration manifested by comments about graphic self-gratification and his fantasizing over Angela. He imagines her nude, covered with red rose petals. Although he never consummates his fantasy, there is a scene of them together with breast nudity. One graphic sex scene between Carolyn and her lover in a motel is particularly offensive. Ricky and Jane become sexually involved and are shown lying together with rear male nudity. Rickys militant father, an ex-Marine (Chris Cooper), rules his house with violent discipline. Ricky deceives his father by submitting false urine samples each month because of earlier drug problems. But the boy still suffers painful beatings when Ricky breaks one of his fathers many rules. The films final scene shows blood splattered on a wall, the result of a violent killing. Much drug use by Lester, the teenage girls and Ricky is treated neutrally. Added to this abundantly offensive film are 44 obscenities and eight regular profanities. There is nothing beautiful about AMERICAN BEAUTY. It offers no solution and no hope.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, 100 Universal Plaza, Bldg. 477, Universal City, CA 90048