When I first saw American Beauty, I thought it was a somewhat depressing tale of modern suburban life. I saw the film again recently, however, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Two scenes were especially compelling. One was Kevin Spacey’s voiceover after he’s been murdered. I generally don’t like films in which they kill the protagonist off at the end, but this was an exception; it seemed to work. The other scene involved a bag dancing on the breeze, seemingly happy and free. Here is the commentary during that scene from the insightful and sensitive drug dealer (yeah, maybe that’s a stretch):
It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that’s the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and… this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember… and I need to remember… Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave in.