It was only when I was watching The Hunger Games thinking 'I KNOW that actor with the GLORIOUS beard, where is he from?' that I re-discovered this brilliant film. (After an obligatory wiki search it turns out the actor was Wes Bentley - he plays Ricky Fitts in American Beauty)
It's ridiculous how many times I've re-watched this film now, to the point where it's safe to say it's one of my favourites. It's just, clever and pretty and so good.
The film handles themes of being trapped, illustrating them through constant use of frames - be it of windows or computer screens etc, but without making it obvious. The distance between character's had been carefully storyboarded and designed to highlight a sense of alienation, this in turn causes the slow-motion dream sequences and hand-held camera work of Ricky to be more powerful and create a sense of beauty.
The film's not flashy, it's got a simplicity to it which allows the actors performances to shine through (and by having two weeks of 'rehearsals' before shooting the actors seem to be at ease with one another and their part, especially Kevin Spacey - who plays Lester Burnham - who is just fantastic). Director Sam Mendes, who originates from a career in Theatre direction, has said it's importance to 'have confidence in what's happening' and not to 'cut to avoid being boring' so allows a lot of stillness in the performances and the camera movements, using slow push-ins and holding moments with the edit. I find this really appealing as you're not distracted by super intense close-ups or quick needless cuts and instead are held by the story.
It's really mesmerising how fluid the film is, it easily changes tone and pace throughout - there's a scene, for example, in which the viewer is seamlessly transferred from a story in one house to another, through the use of the hand-held camera, which just runs so smoothly the transition isn't noticed. This fluidity and all the emotions and stillness is captured and enhanced in the soundtrack which is absolutely beautiful. It has a simplistic yet haunting quality which is just...stunning really.
It's a brilliant film that, despite at times seems a little bleak, has the ability to create hope and well worth watching. And listen to the soundtrack. Go on. Now.
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