This was a movie I adored on its release and was happy for its Oscar win. It wound up a close second for the Felix.
Beauty's story centers around Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) and his midlife explosion. Lester is seemingly living the life, with a family, a good job, a nice house... but under the surface, he's stagnating, powerless, and underappreciated. When I first saw the picture, I locked in on Burnham, however, watching it again -with eyes wide open- I was even more impressed with it on the whole. Just like Lester eventually does, I saw the big picture. Annette Benning's character, for example, was more understandable and I became a bit more sympathetic towards her.Alan Ball's script tears the facade from this suburban neighborhood and reveals its true face. Sam Mendes direction is concise, there's not an ounce of fat on this movie (unlike many directors, Mendes will cut and cut and cut, until he captures a story's truest essence. This caused concern among writers, producers and the studio heads at DreamWorks, who were worried he was editing out too much). It's astute and has a cutting sardonic wit. There are elements of farce (which works for some, fails for others). It can be visually arresting (the scene where the roses spring from the cheerleader's chest), Conrad Hall's cinematography is all about the details - the lighting, reflection, and painterly red. The distinct score from Thomas Newman eschews traditional conceits and adds much to the personality of the film.
As for the paper bag that trips up some viewers? I was an art student; I once stared at a rusted old pipe where a glint of sunlight caught a bubble of dew. I thought it was beautiful. Filming a bag floating around and seeing something profound in it is something I can relate to. (An old GF called this trait my "Quirky ways", lol. So, I can understand why some might find it weird)
The ending is poignant – at the point of seduction Lester's dream girl says something that opens his eyes. He sees her for what she is – not a Goddess, not an object to possess - but an insecure, uncertain kid. Throughout the movie, he has been about feeding his specific wants and desires. Until finally, he sees the bigger landscape - and what emerges from that is perceptive and moving.
