alohahome
Joined Jun 2005
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Reviews14
alohahome's rating
American BEAUTY (1999) Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Chris Cooper Rated R. 5 Academy awards. Tagline: "...look closer."
If this film bothers you, you're not alone. It does push buttons. The suburban middle class dream sometimes is not exactly what it appears to be on the picture perfect surface, and it gets taken to the wood shed here. The white picket fence can only hide so much from view before the dark secrets are finally uncovered. The Thomas Newman musical score is evocative with a hovering sense of sweet melancholy, yet it has a thoroughly haunting, icy-edged poignancy that cannot be resisted; it reflectively explores the hollow rewards of the death trap known as the rat race with all of its inherent disillusionment. More than a musical underscore, this is a sublimely eloquent work of art by Newman, perhaps his signature best, so very beautiful that when I hear it, it overflows and I don't know how I can possibly hold it all inside. This is a film that is funny, sad, disturbing and strangely beautiful. This movie is new every time I watch it. I never seem to remember everything that it contains, yet at times it's somehow impossible to forget a single moment. For cinema lovers especially, this motion picture is a masterfully crafted experience. Warning: This movie is not for those who are looking for simple escapist entertainment or for those who tend to hide their head in the sand. It's far from simple and it's uncompromisingly blunt. This is as sly as a film can possibly be, where your soul is given the opportunity to connect all the dots, and you're left to discover the true nature of beauty that's always there in front of us. By any other name...
If this film bothers you, you're not alone. It does push buttons. The suburban middle class dream sometimes is not exactly what it appears to be on the picture perfect surface, and it gets taken to the wood shed here. The white picket fence can only hide so much from view before the dark secrets are finally uncovered. The Thomas Newman musical score is evocative with a hovering sense of sweet melancholy, yet it has a thoroughly haunting, icy-edged poignancy that cannot be resisted; it reflectively explores the hollow rewards of the death trap known as the rat race with all of its inherent disillusionment. More than a musical underscore, this is a sublimely eloquent work of art by Newman, perhaps his signature best, so very beautiful that when I hear it, it overflows and I don't know how I can possibly hold it all inside. This is a film that is funny, sad, disturbing and strangely beautiful. This movie is new every time I watch it. I never seem to remember everything that it contains, yet at times it's somehow impossible to forget a single moment. For cinema lovers especially, this motion picture is a masterfully crafted experience. Warning: This movie is not for those who are looking for simple escapist entertainment or for those who tend to hide their head in the sand. It's far from simple and it's uncompromisingly blunt. This is as sly as a film can possibly be, where your soul is given the opportunity to connect all the dots, and you're left to discover the true nature of beauty that's always there in front of us. By any other name...
"When a man's best friend is a dog, that dog has a problem."
(from the opening credits)
This basically unknown oddball Independent film is an entertaining dark comedy. It's rated R mainly because of off color language and some sexual situations, which are hardly graphic. Underneath, this film is ultimately good natured at its core. A shrink tells a young writer named Solo, who's troubled and lonely, to try owning a pet to aid his therapy, so he hesitantly gets a "so ugly it's cute" puppy from the pet shop at the local mall. He's totally clueless on how to care for it. However, from that day forward he is never the same again. Suddenly and unaccountably, everyone he encounters becomes smitten by his puppy, who's the real star in this feature. The themes hinge on lost hope and looking for love and connection in a confusing world. Solo happens to meet a pretty woman who, unexpectedly, is also troubled and lonely. Aside from the language, this is a surprisingly charming and quirky little film involving lost souls who meet a dog that inadvertently leads him to some answers about their plight in life. This is lighthearted fun but not exactly a family or children's movie. The ending is touching and sweet. Dog owners in particular will get a real kick out of this film.
(from the opening credits)
This basically unknown oddball Independent film is an entertaining dark comedy. It's rated R mainly because of off color language and some sexual situations, which are hardly graphic. Underneath, this film is ultimately good natured at its core. A shrink tells a young writer named Solo, who's troubled and lonely, to try owning a pet to aid his therapy, so he hesitantly gets a "so ugly it's cute" puppy from the pet shop at the local mall. He's totally clueless on how to care for it. However, from that day forward he is never the same again. Suddenly and unaccountably, everyone he encounters becomes smitten by his puppy, who's the real star in this feature. The themes hinge on lost hope and looking for love and connection in a confusing world. Solo happens to meet a pretty woman who, unexpectedly, is also troubled and lonely. Aside from the language, this is a surprisingly charming and quirky little film involving lost souls who meet a dog that inadvertently leads him to some answers about their plight in life. This is lighthearted fun but not exactly a family or children's movie. The ending is touching and sweet. Dog owners in particular will get a real kick out of this film.
This is not a sappy chick flick whatsoever like the poster seems to indicate. Its viewpoint is decidedly masculine. A family saga with many dimensions and profound themes. Love, death, jealousy, revenge and redemption. Filled with melodrama and tragedy, this sweeping epic set in early 1900's Montana is at it's core a soap opera for guys, a tremendously dark journey both beautiful and brutal. Big sky country meets father/ son issues. A bold and masterful James Horner score wrenches your senses throughout. There is no doubt that we are all splintered souls. Herein lies the haunting echoes of Cain and Abel and a brother's broken bond. And what exactly is behind a father favoring his wayward son? Warning: this motion picture is too strong for children. How quickly life passes us, almost unnoticed, and how things taken for granted disappear before we even have a chance to glimpse their presence as they melt away. A strong Native American theme underscores this film, hinting at our inner mystical voice. This movie is nothing less than a spellbinding feast for the soul. There's something very special here. Be prepared for unforgettable buttons to be pushed.