mjbrown
Joined Apr 1999
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mjbrown's rating
When American Beauty was rereleased to a wider audience around Oscar time, and now that it is available on video, this film was seen by a lot of people whose reactions indicate they completely missed the point of the movie: that despite the immediate ugliness of these characters-like their selfishness, homophobia, foul mouths, groundless insecurities, and power plays-one by one, a closer look reveals the true humanity beneath these facades. There is Angela's innocence, Colonel Fitts' vulnerability, and Ricky's emotional depth...
Most poignantly, through the characters of Lester and Ricky (who, as it was pointed out to me, could symbolize the same person), we are encouraged to see further than what is on the surface, see past our first impressions, and recognize the true beauty within, even in people who say and do things you find offensive. Even Lester realizes this in the last few minutes of his life-he didn't need Angela, and her true beauty was the innocence she had been hiding all along.
That this rather obvious device is sailing right over the heads of so many viewers who are appalled at what they see on the screen, it leaves me wondering if even I can take American Beauty's message to heart and see past this ugly shallowness in these people.
Most poignantly, through the characters of Lester and Ricky (who, as it was pointed out to me, could symbolize the same person), we are encouraged to see further than what is on the surface, see past our first impressions, and recognize the true beauty within, even in people who say and do things you find offensive. Even Lester realizes this in the last few minutes of his life-he didn't need Angela, and her true beauty was the innocence she had been hiding all along.
That this rather obvious device is sailing right over the heads of so many viewers who are appalled at what they see on the screen, it leaves me wondering if even I can take American Beauty's message to heart and see past this ugly shallowness in these people.
The true story of the rise of jazz/swing bandleaders Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, The Fabulous Dorseys' appeal rests primarily on its basis in reality (the Dorseys portray themselves, in fact) and the many live performances recreated for the film. As for plot, well, it has none to speak of. The supporting cast is ornamental, and character development consists, for all but the last 15 minutes, of little more than establishing that the brothers don't always see eye to eye. Also, the film commands top honors when it comes to abysmal lip-synching and faux piano-playing. Nevertheless, it's clear that the point is to showcase the Dorsey's music and quell any gossip that may have been going around, at the time, about the tension between the Fabulous Dorseys, and on that level, this musical biography is pleasantly entertaining.