Yes like every good person is. I am about to read The Idiot by Dostoyevsky. I never really knew what it's about, a man in the book is called an idiot because he's a decent good person. I guess nothing changes.
He didn’t appreciate them either. That was the point of the ending. He comes to appreciate the important things, those being his family and relationships, but only right before his passing. If you watched the movie you’d see he mostly acts in self interest until the ending
@@picallo1 I mean, sure, you can say he was disconnected. You can say the same for his wife and Jane. That’s kind of the point of the movie. The way American ideals distract us from finding our own meaning. Which begs the question, why is it that you make excuses for the male lead, but not the females? No need to answer, that one’s obvious...
@@FinalCritiC The people looked happier in the 90s and 2000s than today. Everyone is on their phones and can communicate with each other. It's really sad how disconnected people have gotten.
I was just thinking this. I remember leaving the cinema enamoured, knowing the film would last the test of time and win several accolades. It truly won me over and inspired me.
It does make me wonder, what ever happened between Lester and Janie that drove them apart? I guess that's the point. Parents growing distant from their children, or vice versa, as they grow older. It's not 'always' the case, as there are many who've maintained very good relationships with their parents, and vice versa. As for myself, I've cut ties with mine, but the parents I do have, though we aren't related, are still very much my Mom(s) and Dad(s). Whether it's the phases parents and children go through in life, or whatever underlying issues that exists between them, it does pave way for friction in their relationships. Janie loved her father in the end, as did Carolyn, and Lester learnt how fortunate he truly was to have lived the life he had, no matter how short it was. He was at peace and happy.
Don’t know why your comment stuck out so much to me, but hoping you find the strength to rediscover love that’s withered, or strength to separate and find deeper love awaiting with a new partner. Whichever path, I’m confident you’ll receive it, and be enraptured by it brother 👍🏾let us know when it arrives!
Well he does say earlier in the movie that looking at a dead person is like as if God is staring at him, hence the reason why he stares at Lester like that.
I have read a lot of good (and complex) comments about the meaning of the movie. To me, it's just simply about being superficial and projecting an image of "normal," whatever that is. Lester finally had enough of his mundane life and gave in to all his carnal desires. As stated by many here in the comments, he comes full circle after he realizes he can't have sex with Angela because he can't rob her of what little innocence she has left. He kind of "wakes up" a second time and realizes his "mundane" life wasn't so bad after all, but it was too late.
Well said. This mover for me was a lesson in the abyss that awaits us all as we give into our irrelevance as our relevance awaits in a parallel existence. I'm very grateful I discovered mine before it was to late.
It's also about the profound juxtaposition between the self we project to the world vs the true nature of ourselves that we must eventually accept to live honestly. Early in the film we meet several people who are obviously flawed and complex. We also meet others who are apparently more conventional in their facade. The successful real estate businessman, the Marine colonel, the beautiful cheerleader all unravel into morally dubious characters at odds with their projected self image while the drug dealer and the lustful husband planning indiscretions turn out to be people who find their moral compass in a moment of crisis. Brilliant story augmented greatly by Sam Mendes and Thomas Newman.
Rented this from Blockbusters when it was released. I watched the movie, sat stunned, and then put it on again…. The only movie I’ve ever done this with. Just gets better with time and becomes more relevant. I was 19 then and now I’m 41 - It went by so quickly… Scary to think, with this time frame repeating, I’ll be 60 👴🏻 Having kids, the scene with Janey at the door and how she grows up is so depressing: Innocent and cute, and then scarred by the world….
Precisely. I am 3 years younger than you, but I remember watching this movie for the first time, and being absolutely floored. Nevermind the fact that at the time I couldn't even relate to Spacey's character, given I was still young and plenty idealistic. This movie still forces me to examine what makes us happy and content, and how over time we can become jaded. Such a great movie.
I watched this movie during lockdown and I thought it was a movie similar to American pie, after having watched it, it changed my perspective regarding my life
This did it for me in already great movie, the flashbacks of happier times with his daughter and his wife and the scene where Carolyn falls down into closet hugging Lester's clothes which hit me like a truck full of bricks as I did the same thing when my father died and had to look through his clothes before the funeral. I can't even describe how that felt and is catched here in just a matter of seconds.
This really screwed the drug dealer up. He would grow up and end up producing a yearly television event where 9 kids are selected from different parts of the country and dropped off in the wilderness. They would kill each other till only 1 remained . It was called the hunger games. His fascination with a video camera really helped him as a producer.
For most of human history we would have all lived in small villages of 50-100 people, where everyone knew you and it was difficult to be ignored. But you were probably skilled in some craft and you were valued for it. And you valued yourself for it and the honor it brought you. Today 95% of us live in giant cities or suburbs. You are one person in a village of 5-10 million. (Now that village is global thanks to the internet) You can be skilled in any craft but you aren’t valued for it. There are thousands, if not millions, who are likely better than you. You go through life knowing this, and knowing that everyone else knows this.
I don’t think I’ll ever know the type of life being single for all of it, so far… and for me, watching this movie, it all seems the same, whether if I was married or single. Feeling insignificant is familiar, but I can’t imagine what feeling insignificant feels like when the people that are *supposed to love you* think you’re a huge loser. I’m sure this movie hits harder and has hit harder for a lot people when they’ve watched it…
You'd basically be dead on the inside. Probably more isolated than someone who is single. Some people in those situations would consider this ending bitter-sweet.
Although the acting and direction in this picture are first-rate, screenwriter Alan Ball deserves the most credit. And Ball won the Oscar for the best original screenplay for it--back when the Oscars actually meant something. As support for my opinion is one of Ball's follow-up projects, "Six Feet Under," a terrific TV series.
Have you seen kites are blowing in to skies with the wind? Have you seen a drop of water on a tip of a leaf? Thats the simplest explanation world has about life. Yes uncertainty is well expressed in all those scenes/scenarios.
No bullet hole in the tile backsplash, no exit wound in the forehead, and why did Chris Cooper's t-shirt have so much blood on it when the blast was traveling away from him? Nevertheless, still a monumental scene; and I've always loved the song "Ghosts".
The alternate ending shown what a total bastard Frank Fitts is. The ending is beautiful, but tragic and Jane and Carolyn treated Lester liked shit and they weren't grateful.
@@SinewRending Frank decides to frame Ricky and Jane for Lester's murder. He gives the police the videotape of Jane telling Ricky she wants someone to kill Lester which Ricky asked her if she wants him to do it. At the trial, Angela willingly testifies against them and the videotape is used as evidence and they are both found guilty. Ricky goes to jail and Jane ends up in a juvenile correctional facility. Frank's wife. Barbara finds Frank's shirt which is covered in blood and she hides it. Movie Ends.
@@SinewRending Yes. This ending didn't test well and it was changed. There's no footage of it anywhere online. Possibly it was never filmed or it was destroyed.
Great movie Damm 99 life is Move first since then Loss 7family members including Mom DAD SO life is precious I'm suffering from TERMINAL disease the last 3years plus but I'm strong Person
This happen to 2of my friends in Core But not like that they committed suicide and they left family of 7kids. This happen in 2005 i miss them so much. REST IN POWER FRIENDS FELLOW MARINE
They did the usual sinful BS that hollywood has in all their movies. The drug dealer gets the daughter pregnant and spend his fathering days in prison. The wife soon gets dumped, but finds another simp to marry. The colenel drinks him self into a coma. Not sure what happens to the colenels wife.
Originally, the colonel was going to frame Ricky and Jane with evidence from the video camera, Angela testifying against them, and getting sent to jail. Ricky’s mom would soon find the bloody white shirt in the laundry basket and hide it immediately.
I am moved by this film's confrontation of how grossly immature most American men can be. This man reached his true maturity right on the edge of death. I love the way he treated his daughter's friend. He had a revelation that he had been sexually attracted to a child, and then he just moved on in a decent way. I think this is a very fine film, and under-appreciated.
@@timothy790110 I also think he still think Lester is gay or something and pissed that Lester can do these things. Or he thought Lester rejected him coz Lester prefer younger men (oof).
I think that’s the point of great films, to leave us wondering a bit about the unknown, to let the viewer fill in the blanks themselves. A sequel would only tarnish the greatness of this movie, and could never possibly live up to its greatness.
@@gracechua9571 I honestly think that Chris Cooper's motives for killing the main character was extremely stupid cuz the whole reason why the main guy was killed was because Chris Cooper kissed him.
@@jeremygriffin5464 he’s a closeted homosexual He’s a conservative hard ass marine vet In a couple scenes he says how much gays make him sick Later in the movie he watches through a window and sees Ricky over at Lester’s house and thinks they’re f’ing each other (They weren’t… it’s kind of what it looked like though ) So… thinking Lester is gay This closeted marine goes over and tries to kiss Lester Lester rejects him For that.. and to cover up his homosexuality He kills Lester
I get the films message. In the end, your family is sick and doesn't love you anymore just like my mom. She doesn't care about me anymore because she's a gold digging hag.
One of the most beautiful movies ever. A timeless masterpiece
Its really sad how much love he had for his family and he was right, it was like he didnt exist to them. They treated him like dirt.
Yes like every good person is. I am about to read The Idiot by Dostoyevsky. I never really knew what it's about, a man in the book is called an idiot because he's a decent good person. I guess nothing changes.
He didn’t appreciate them either. That was the point of the ending. He comes to appreciate the important things, those being his family and relationships, but only right before his passing. If you watched the movie you’d see he mostly acts in self interest until the ending
@@VideoGuy232 I dont think he didnt appreciate them I think he became disconnected which is a little different, but I get the gist of your thoughts.
@@picallo1 I mean, sure, you can say he was disconnected. You can say the same for his wife and Jane. That’s kind of the point of the movie. The way American ideals distract us from finding our own meaning.
Which begs the question, why is it that you make excuses for the male lead, but not the females? No need to answer, that one’s obvious...
Many such cases
Enjoy your life it’s shorter than we think , it only seemed yesterday I went to the cinema to see this masterpiece
Very true. Life goes by so quick. I never thought I'd yearn for the late 90s, early 2000s. Just a different time in life. Miss it.
❤
@@FinalCritiC The people looked happier in the 90s and 2000s than today. Everyone is on their phones and can communicate with each other. It's really sad how disconnected people have gotten.
I was just thinking this. I remember leaving the cinema enamoured, knowing the film would last the test of time and win several accolades. It truly won me over and inspired me.
I sadly agree
The look on Lester's face as he laid dead in a pool of his own blood... he was finally at peace. And the last thing he saw was a thing of beauty.
And janie. And janie. Always hits me in the feels. Innocence gone
It does make me wonder, what ever happened between Lester and Janie that drove them apart? I guess that's the point. Parents growing distant from their children, or vice versa, as they grow older. It's not 'always' the case, as there are many who've maintained very good relationships with their parents, and vice versa. As for myself, I've cut ties with mine, but the parents I do have, though we aren't related, are still very much my Mom(s) and Dad(s). Whether it's the phases parents and children go through in life, or whatever underlying issues that exists between them, it does pave way for friction in their relationships. Janie loved her father in the end, as did Carolyn, and Lester learnt how fortunate he truly was to have lived the life he had, no matter how short it was. He was at peace and happy.
This scene made me realise that being in a loveless, one sided arrangement of a 17 year marriage is the most alone I’ve ever felt in my life.
How pathetic. I hope you’re doing better now sir.
Don’t know why your comment stuck out so much to me, but hoping you find the strength to rediscover love that’s withered, or strength to separate and find deeper love awaiting with a new partner. Whichever path, I’m confident you’ll receive it, and be enraptured by it brother 👍🏾let us know when it arrives!
Girl... if your boyfriend reacts to a headshot like that,
you should run before he starts to wear your skin like a dress!
Agreed.
It is the new upside world we live in. Heaven is hell and hell is heaven.
he might even add it to his collection
Well he does say earlier in the movie that looking at a dead person is like as if God is staring at him, hence the reason why he stares at Lester like that.
@@TheCeraization that gives him even more reason to mak... find more death body´s
I like the way he kind of smiles , like he is trying to say " you are free now "
I have read a lot of good (and complex) comments about the meaning of the movie. To me, it's just simply about being superficial and projecting an image of "normal," whatever that is. Lester finally had enough of his mundane life and gave in to all his carnal desires. As stated by many here in the comments, he comes full circle after he realizes he can't have sex with Angela because he can't rob her of what little innocence she has left. He kind of "wakes up" a second time and realizes his "mundane" life wasn't so bad after all, but it was too late.
Well said. This mover for me was a lesson in the abyss that awaits us all as we give into our irrelevance as our relevance awaits in a parallel existence. I'm very grateful I discovered mine before it was to late.
It’s more about losing your fun side through out life and becoming a pawn in society instead of yourself
It's also about the profound juxtaposition between the self we project to the world vs the true nature of ourselves that we must eventually accept to live honestly. Early in the film we meet several people who are obviously flawed and complex. We also meet others who are apparently more conventional in their facade. The successful real estate businessman, the Marine colonel, the beautiful cheerleader all unravel into morally dubious characters at odds with their projected self image while the drug dealer and the lustful husband planning indiscretions turn out to be people who find their moral compass in a moment of crisis. Brilliant story augmented greatly by Sam Mendes and Thomas Newman.
Now that I think about it this music sounds really close to the score from Shawshank redemption, Especially when they’re showing Brookes story
It's by the same composer, Thomas Newman
He also did the Green Mile, Cinderella Man, Little Children, Road to Perdition, and many others. He’s a great composer.
Thanks guys, very cool.
it's actually the same composer!! (Thomas Newman, my all-time favorite)
It reminds me most of Higher Learning.
Kevin spacey is right up there, one of the very best actors!!
Definitely
Rented this from Blockbusters when it was released. I watched the movie, sat stunned, and then put it on again….
The only movie I’ve ever done this with.
Just gets better with time and becomes more relevant. I was 19 then and now I’m 41 - It went by so quickly…
Scary to think, with this time frame repeating, I’ll be 60 👴🏻
Having kids, the scene with Janey at the door and how she grows up is so depressing: Innocent and cute, and then scarred by the world….
Watch Six Feet Under on HBO. Amazing series that is from the same writer and it is a lot like this film.
Precisely. I am 3 years younger than you, but I remember watching this movie for the first time, and being absolutely floored. Nevermind the fact that at the time I couldn't even relate to Spacey's character, given I was still young and plenty idealistic. This movie still forces me to examine what makes us happy and content, and how over time we can become jaded. Such a great movie.
@@flightofthebumblebee9529 yep watched the whole series back in the day too - Excellent show
@@OhioPaulDE you have great taste
I watched this on VHS after clubbing and everyone else crashed out. Absolutely floored me. The soundtrack. The plastic bag scene. Just wow.
I watched this movie during lockdown and I thought it was a movie similar to American pie, after having watched it, it changed my perspective regarding my life
💩 detected. The streets of Bombay are calling for you
This did it for me in already great movie, the flashbacks of happier times with his daughter and his wife and the scene where Carolyn falls down into closet hugging Lester's clothes which hit me like a truck full of bricks as I did the same thing when my father died and had to look through his clothes before the funeral. I can't even describe how that felt and is catched here in just a matter of seconds.
Im watching him in yellowstone, he still looks great after all those years!
The actor was a big junkie. Glad he's standing on his feet again.
I'm glad "American Beauty" referred to the rose cultivar that's shown throughout the film. Conventionally beautiful but prone to rot in the roots.
In addition to so many brilliant things in this film, the music is beautiful.
One of the best movies ever
I think it’s funny how the wife hides the fun first (her image) and then realizes what actually happened
if u skip frames back and forth between 1:14 and 1:24 hes moving
This really screwed the drug dealer up. He would grow up and end up producing a yearly television event where 9 kids are selected from different parts of the country and dropped off in the wilderness. They would kill each other till only 1 remained . It was called the hunger games. His fascination with a video camera really helped him as a producer.
Omg that is him lol.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Hunger games
and grew up on YELLOWSTONE ranch.
It took me years to figure out why the guy from Hunger Games looked so familiar 😄
@@jamielehman4934 must be the beard...
For most of human history we would have all lived in small villages of 50-100 people, where everyone knew you and it was difficult to be ignored. But you were probably skilled in some craft and you were valued for it. And you valued yourself for it and the honor it brought you.
Today 95% of us live in giant cities or suburbs. You are one person in a village of 5-10 million. (Now that village is global thanks to the internet) You can be skilled in any craft but you aren’t valued for it. There are thousands, if not millions, who are likely better than you.
You go through life knowing this, and knowing that everyone else knows this.
I don’t think I’ll ever know the type of life being single for all of it, so far… and for me, watching this movie, it all seems the same, whether if I was married or single. Feeling insignificant is familiar, but I can’t imagine what feeling insignificant feels like when the people that are *supposed to love you* think you’re a huge loser. I’m sure this movie hits harder and has hit harder for a lot people when they’ve watched it…
You'd basically be dead on the inside. Probably more isolated than someone who is single.
Some people in those situations would consider this ending bitter-sweet.
how ya doin??
"You probably never see it when it happens." --Bobby Baccalieri Jr.
Although the acting and direction in this picture are first-rate, screenwriter Alan Ball deserves the most credit. And Ball won the Oscar for the best original screenplay for it--back when the Oscars actually meant something. As support for my opinion is one of Ball's follow-up projects, "Six Feet Under," a terrific TV series.
"Back when the Oscars actually meant something." 😂😂😂
Have you seen kites are blowing in to skies with the wind?
Have you seen a drop of water on a tip of a leaf?
Thats the simplest explanation world has about life. Yes uncertainty is well expressed in all those scenes/scenarios.
The nihilism is strong in this one.
More like the opposite of Nihilism. Nihilism gets conquered in this movie.
This is not a nihilistic movie. Quite the opposite. Full with meaning and beauty.
You don't even have to watch the movie. You only have to listen to Lester narrating in this short clip to know this is the very opposite of nihilism.
No bullet hole in the tile backsplash, no exit wound in the forehead, and why did Chris Cooper's t-shirt have so much blood on it when the blast was traveling away from him? Nevertheless, still a monumental scene; and I've always loved the song "Ghosts".
Smaller caliber bullets can ricochet when inside the skull.
@@toasterlordtoasterlord4224 damn
Yeah, that’s a common mistake found in this ending. The height of the gunshot fired and why there’s no exit hole.
Od it was .22 caliber hollow point. It can stuck inside skull.
blowback
Beautiful scene!
The alternate ending shown what a total bastard Frank Fitts is. The ending is beautiful, but tragic and Jane and Carolyn treated Lester liked shit and they weren't grateful.
What are the specific details of the alternate ending?
@@SinewRending Frank decides to frame Ricky and Jane for Lester's murder. He gives the police the videotape of Jane telling Ricky she wants someone to kill Lester which Ricky asked her if she wants him to do it. At the trial, Angela willingly testifies against them and the videotape is used as evidence and they are both found guilty. Ricky goes to jail and Jane ends up in a juvenile correctional facility. Frank's wife. Barbara finds Frank's shirt which is covered in blood and she hides it. Movie Ends.
@@danielwilliamson6180 Brutal.
@@SinewRending Yes. This ending didn't test well and it was changed. There's no footage of it anywhere online. Possibly it was never filmed or it was destroyed.
@@danielwilliamson6180 They never filmed it.
Dec 4th 2022 was a masterpiece totally 💯 ❤❤
For some reason I can't remember this movie at all. I saw it once and never again
It’s a fantastic movie , and I think there is at least one scene that has or will effect us all , it is very real
Makes me cry every time I see it.
The bit where Ricky says goodbye to his mom really gets me
I feel exactly like Leicester Burnham. my life is the same. A lot of men's lives are like this
I agree, it's just a sad fact. I don't think people want to admit it. 😢
Lester died happy with peace...
This movie is so tragic
The only people who weren't a wreck were the neighbors.
Absolutely not.
Nonsense when your gone
Take care everyone live everyday as tho it's the last.
Great movie Damm 99 life is Move first since then Loss 7family members including Mom DAD SO life is precious I'm suffering from TERMINAL disease the last 3years plus but I'm strong Person
This is just a TH-cam comment but I hope you find peace and hapiness.
You also can't spell for shit.
Looking around while you RESPAWN IN...
This happen to 2of my friends in Core But not like that they committed suicide and they left family of 7kids. This happen in 2005 i miss them so much. REST IN POWER FRIENDS FELLOW MARINE
I wonder if the kid thinks that Lester's gaping head wound is more beautiful than that dancing bag?
Anyone else feel like there needed to be an epilogue about what they did later.
I'm curious
They did the usual sinful BS that hollywood has in all their movies. The drug dealer gets the daughter pregnant and spend his fathering days in prison. The wife soon gets dumped, but finds another simp to marry. The colenel drinks him self into a coma. Not sure what happens to the colenels wife.
Lester Burnham is fucking dead. He does fuck all.
Originally, the colonel was going to frame Ricky and Jane with evidence from the video camera, Angela testifying against them, and getting sent to jail. Ricky’s mom would soon find the bloody white shirt in the laundry basket and hide it immediately.
I am moved by this film's confrontation of how grossly immature most American men can be. This man reached his true maturity right on the edge of death. I love the way he treated his daughter's friend. He had a revelation that he had been sexually attracted to a child, and then he just moved on in a decent way. I think this is a very fine film, and under-appreciated.
'American' men? This happens across the spectrum, buddy...
@@seanchaney3086 yeah people think america is the pentacle of everything
I’m Dominican and let me tell you, we’re a million times worse. Idk why people think America is the only country that exists
Just commented on what I know. If I had said all men are like this someone would have trolled how could you know you don't live in _____ ? 😆
@@seanchaney3086 The movie is called AMERICAN Beauty. Its a critique on American expectations.
tale me any movie like American beauty
The Crush,Poison Ivy
Magnolia
Darude Sandstorm
Detachment ?
Ricky looked really scary during this scene.
the hierarchy of needs!
So Ricky's father just shoot Lester because he rejected him? It's been a while since i don't watch this movie. Can someone explain it?
Because he was a closet homosexual and didn’t want Lester to tell anyone.
It was the shame he felt being closeted, and in his mind he blamed lester for "making" him gay.
Thx both!
@@timothy790110 I also think he still think Lester is gay or something and pissed that Lester can do these things. Or he thought Lester rejected him coz Lester prefer younger men (oof).
Erin Brockovich music I swear.
Thomas Newman has his own uniwue style.
STAN”” Good COMMENT I THOUGHT THAT TOO HE LET HIMSELF BE DISRESPECTED I THINK 😢
we need a sequel
No
I think that’s the point of great films, to leave us wondering a bit about the unknown, to let the viewer fill in the blanks themselves. A sequel would only tarnish the greatness of this movie, and could never possibly live up to its greatness.
he's dead, you ricky to take his place?
Qué hermoso vídeo 🤩🤩😊😊
I know they had their problems but why is Jane not screaming her fool head off.
My bf loves driving his Firebird
Knowing what we know now! 😂
This was a fucked up movie - in every single way!
Fine film ...I was impressed ...if you impress me ...your fortunate ...your something 👨✌
Ok but who are you ?
so who shot him?
The next door neighbor Chris Cooper shot him
@@Loveroffood41 what do u think his motives of killing him. soo sad.
@@gracechua9571 I honestly think that Chris Cooper's motives for killing the main character was extremely stupid cuz the whole reason why the main guy was killed was because Chris Cooper kissed him.
So who killed him did the wife and her lover do it
Frank
Ricky’s father did it
@@Meowface. Why Ricky's father do it for
@@jeremygriffin5464 he’s a closeted homosexual
He’s a conservative hard ass marine vet
In a couple scenes he says how much gays make him sick
Later in the movie he watches through a window and sees Ricky over at Lester’s house and thinks they’re f’ing each other
(They weren’t… it’s kind of what it looked like though )
So… thinking Lester is gay
This closeted marine goes over and tries to kiss Lester
Lester rejects him
For that.. and to cover up his homosexuality
He kills Lester
I get the films message. In the end, your family is sick and doesn't love you anymore just like my mom. She doesn't care about me anymore because she's a gold digging hag.
aleg 1624
That SoB had it coming. Thank you Colonel Fitts.
🧐
Haha, yeah wannabe Hulk
👶🧑👵
Why do people randomly cut edits? Are you fucking unconscious?