Movie Poster

Your father and I were just discussing his day at work. Why don't you tell our daughter about it, honey?

Janie, today I quit my job. And then I told my boss to go fuck himself, and then I blackmailed him for almost sixty thousand dollars. Pass the asparagus.

# Review

Kevin Spacey plays Lester, a man in an unhappy marriage and undergoing a mid-life crisis. Lester develops an infatuation with his daughter’s friend Angela (Mena Suvari).

The story is nuanced and has several subplots that explore themes such as marital fidelity, homosexuality, and appearances versus reality. Alan Ball’s script is one of the best I’ve ever seen. The characters evolve and self-actualize, some in a positive manner, but others in extremely toxic ways. The casting is phenomenal, Kevin Spacey is phenomenal as an unfulfilled Lester, Annette Bening plays a pathetic and desperate Carolyn, while Wes Bentley plays a cool Ricky. Thora Birch as an insecure Jane, Mena Suvari as a seductive Angela, and Chris Cooper as a domineering Colonel Fitts were also excellent. Many of the characters, such as Spacey’s Lester and Bentley’s Ricky made me feel very uncomfortable with their emotionless and creepy performances. Overall, I felt all of the characters are well-written and contribute to the story.

The cinematography is very novel and features many interesting shots, often using clever lighting and rose motifs.

# Conclusion

Some of the best-written characters in films.

# Overall rating: 8.6

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