Sometimes I think about American Beauty. I love that film, but I always have to warn people that it’s the “Best movie that aged horribly.”
(I mean except for the films like Dazed and Confused which were intended to be contemporary, but are so of their time that they accidentally made a period piece)
There’s just so many reasons why it doesn’t line up with reality. (First time I saw it I laughed at the idea of “secret government weed” in a film that wasn’t a stoner comedy, and the fact that they cast a busty actress for the girl who wants a boobjob and a not-so-busty one for the one who doesn’t… Which I guess could work as commentary, but the way the movie plays it not so much.), but two that really stand out
Kevin Spacey playing a man who not-so-secretly longs for his (teenage) daughter’s (underage) friend in a lustful manner
spoiler
and is finally able to court her near the climax of the film. (To be fair, he realizes what he’s doing is wrong and doesn’t go through with it)
At one point, after realizing he isn’t happy working hard for an American Dream he has grown bored of quits his job. This is fresh on the heels of the realization that he can maintain his lifestyle (Suburban house, husband and wife have their own car, only one member of the household works) by working a stress-free no responsibility job as a McDonalds Fry Cook.
Honestly the second one is far more shocking and offensive.
Sometimes I think about American Beauty. I love that film, but I always have to warn people that it’s the “Best movie that aged horribly.”
(I mean except for the films like Dazed and Confused which were intended to be contemporary, but are so of their time that they accidentally made a period piece)
There’s just so many reasons why it doesn’t line up with reality. (First time I saw it I laughed at the idea of “secret government weed” in a film that wasn’t a stoner comedy, and the fact that they cast a busty actress for the girl who wants a boobjob and a not-so-busty one for the one who doesn’t… Which I guess could work as commentary, but the way the movie plays it not so much.), but two that really stand out
spoiler
and is finally able to court her near the climax of the film. (To be fair, he realizes what he’s doing is wrong and doesn’t go through with it)
Honestly the second one is far more shocking and offensive.