LeonardMaltinsBalls

Short and sweet, this movie is about a "gang" (that actually just consists of rich white boys in California who bank on selling weed), and the people who owe them money. They kidnap a 15 year old played by Anton Yeltchen (who, in the movie, is the brother of Ben Foster, who owes them $1,200), only Anton is glad to be kidnapped cause he resents his over-bearing parents, and gets a glimpse into this anything-goes, 24-hours-a-day-party-scene of the rich and responsibility-free youth of the west coast. Then during the last few minutes of the movie you see these guys facing the consequences of what they've done.

All in all, I went to see this because it's John Cassevetes' son who made it. I am fairly neutral on Justin Timberlake, or was prior to seeing this. IF NOTHING ELSE this movie is worth seeing for the performances. Seriously, Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Ben Foster, and most of the other guys are SO good. Bruce Willis is awesome too. If nothing else, Nick Cassavetes, although definitely going in a different direction than his father did, is allowing his characters to become who they are playing. The acting is very real. So at least that runs in the family. The actual story telling is questionable, and pretty Luke-warm. I wasn't expecting much, but was very pleased when the suspense in the last hour of the film was making me very anxious. That rarely happens.

The style of the film was an unbalanced mix of faux documentary/re-enactment and hand held, crime drama stuff, with a mix of verity testimonials (but so few that it was just awkward). If he had committed to any of the above it would have been a lot less mushy. Also, there wasn't quite enough spoon-feeding to please the high schoolers sneaking in to see justin timberlake, and not quite enough realism to please a fan of his father.

It sure was better than the Notebook.

Did you know Chevy Chase was originally supposed to play the lead? It probably would have been a very different movie, perhaps a much much better movie. And this movie isn't the worst thing ever made, but it definitely takes itself far too seriously; as if for the first time everyone saw the grit and corruption of the average middle class family. Big fukcing deal. Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives", or Solondz's "Happiness", or even John Waters "Serial Mom" are much greater achievements that didn't even reach cult status. Then you have American Beauty, the (as another user put) "the most important film of the 90s".

There are just certain movies that get blown way out of proportion, more than they deserve, and then it goes down in history as a landmark for that time.

Kevin Spacy could not have been any worse. He's so arrogant and coy. Hey Kevin, stop reading reviews about yourself. And same with Thora Birch. Both of their performances are infuriatingly embarrassing to watch. Chris Cooper is excellent, and the real estate king thing works. Annette Benning is decent, too.

There are movies that aren't trying to be good, and there are movies that we refer to as "films". Then there's garbage like American beauty. A big turd that critics and idiots all over have carefully placed inside of a golden egg. A fat, rotten, golden egg.

this is awful. not even like Plan 9 awful.

the narrating is arrogant and self-righteous. the subject matter is just plain ridiculous. and essentially the movie seems to have Absolutely NOTHING TO SAY.

it's a fantastic study on who is able to make movies these days; you don't need a voice or heart anymore - you just have to have money, connections, and a sense of entitlement.

someone, for the love of "film" and "cinema", pick this up with a plastic bag on the sidewalk and throw it in the garbage can around the corner.