Nostalgia Critic: Does 'American Beauty' Still Hold Up?

[Deleted]

(Language)

thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/nostalgia-critic/44589-does-american-beauty-still-hold-up

[Sephiroth]

I think it holds up pretty well honestly.

[Hit Girl]

A film like that will always hold up

The themes of suburban, middle class boredom will always resonate.

[I'm Team Bayley and Indi]

I watched it last year for the first time since 2000 and the stuff I liked about it then and stuff I didn't like (I really don't like the Ricky character) remained exactly the same - so yeah it holds up

[Crimson]

First World Problems: The Movie

But seriously, I watched it in a Film Class 2 years ago and thought it was ok.

[Wolf Hawkfield no1 NZ poster]

I would say that some ways it does but in other ways not quite.

That and I really think it didn't deserve to win the Oscar for best picture.

[celticjobber]

I never actually watched that full movie, just certain scenes.

[Mozenrath]

It's kind of like a really f***ed up version of Office Space.

[ThereIsNoAbsurdistOnlyZuul]

Sept 3, 2014 3:53:17 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

It's kind of like a really f***ed up version of Office Space.

Office Space is kind of f***ed up too.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Sept 3, 2014 2:29:42 GMT -5 Wolf Hawkfield no1 NZ poster said:

I would say that some ways it does but in other ways not quite.

That and I really think it didn't deserve to win the Oscar for best picture.

Well it's the Academy, they make odd choices, plus time changes perspectives. Fight Club was a bit of a flop but came back strong.

Looking at who it won over, The Green Mile and The Sixth Sense would have been better choices, but 1999 wasn't a particularly interesting year in pop culture IMO. Movies, TV and music all seemed a bit bland mostly.

[karl100589]

I've always been a fan of this film so I am going to defend it. Personally I do think a lot of what the film represents is still relevant in this day and age. That ideology of suburbia is still one that the media paints in the representation of the American dream and like Lester in the film there are people who feel bored and frustrated at how it is in some cases too perfect, and that line of flawed perfection is something underlined throughout the film. Even though Carolyn looks to try and create this impression of her life being perfect she herself does not find satisfaction until she embraces immoral constructs, such as her affair and through her gun lust later in the film, Colonel Fitts similarly lives in this ideological all American bubble of straight faced morality, but it comes at the expense of a wife almost accepted of a life of anonymity and Ricky who's every move is a subconscious rejection of everything his father stands for. In the contrast the four characters that represent the most perfect lives and the ones who are by the end of the film the happiest are those which on first impression are the most imperfect. The introspective and downtrodden Janie, the creepy Ricky and the gay couple.

I do see where Doug comes from in regards to the sentimentality and schmaltz of the film, and even as one of it's biggest fans I have never liked Ricky or the plastic bag moment, but at the same time I see that as a construct of mainstream media. Sadly in an industry designed primarily around making money appealing to the casual film goer is paramount, and since the casual film goer is often not particularly bright you need to be a bit excessive and obvious the symbolism and intention of your piece. If not you end up with something similar to Gus Van Sant's Psycho where the audience aren't in on the directors intentions and reject the film seeing it as an ultimately pointless film instead of a commentary on the remake culture of Hollywood. In this regard I think American Beauty just about gets away with it in the context of Mainstream Hollywood films, certainly more so then for example the racism commentary near the end of Volcano.

I will always defend and adore American Beauty however, I see the flaws for sure but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Absolutely, and I'm happy to see this wasn't a bashing.

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

Sept 3, 2014 7:51:54 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Sept 3, 2014 2:29:42 GMT -5 Wolf Hawkfield no1 NZ poster said:

I would say that some ways it does but in other ways not quite.

That and I really think it didn't deserve to win the Oscar for best picture.

Well it's the Academy, they make odd choices, plus time changes perspectives. Fight Club was a bit of a flop but came back strong.

Looking at who it won over, The Green Mile and The Sixth Sense would have been better choices, but 1999 wasn't a particularly interesting year in pop culture IMO. Movies, TV and music all seemed a bit bland mostly.

All About My Mother, Audition, Being John Malkovich, The Blair Witch Project, Buena Vista Social Club, Cradle Will Rock, Election, Eyes Wide Shut, Fight Club, Ghost Dog, Go, The Insider, The Iron Giant, The Limey, Magnolia, The Matrix, Office Space, The Straight Story, The Talented Mr Ripley, Tarzan, Topsy-Turvy, Toy Story 2...1999 was a great year for film.

[Crimson]

Sept 3, 2014 2:29:42 GMT -5 Wolf Hawkfield no1 NZ poster said:

I would say that some ways it does but in other ways not quite.

That and I really think it didn't deserve to win the Oscar for best picture.

TBH, The Sixth Sense and M. Night should have taken top honors.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Sept 3, 2014 9:22:09 GMT -5 Citizen Snips Has Left said:

Sept 3, 2014 7:51:54 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Well it's the Academy, they make odd choices, plus time changes perspectives. Fight Club was a bit of a flop but came back strong.

Looking at who it won over, The Green Mile and The Sixth Sense would have been better choices, but 1999 wasn't a particularly interesting year in pop culture IMO. Movies, TV and music all seemed a bit bland mostly.

All About My Mother, Audition, Being John Malkovich, The Blair Witch Project, Buena Vista Social Club, Cradle Will Rock, Election, Eyes Wide Shut, Fight Club, Ghost Dog, Go, The Insider, The Iron Giant, The Limey, Magnolia, The Matrix, Office Space, The Straight Story, The Talented Mr Ripley, Tarzan, Topsy-Turvy, Toy Story 2...1999 was a great year for film.

I did say IMO

Personally from that list, there's under 10 I'd go out of my way to watch.

[Deleted]

Haven't seen it since I was like 15 or 16. I found it great then. Chances are I will still find it great but I may enjoy it less. I don't know. It seems like people are more upset with the fact this was the best picture winner of 1999 when 1999 might of been the greatest year in movies.

I should watch it again sometime

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Yes it does, ask me another.