Customer Reviews

American Beauty: The Shooting Script

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you have seen the movie, and were deeply touched by it, as seems inevitable, owning this screenplay is definitely worthwhile. Without having to put on the DVD, you can relive particular moments by just leafing through the pages. Alan Ball's script won multiple awards, and rightly so: it is a masterpiece of dramatic writing, merging the comical, the tragic and the spiritual in ways rarely seen in present day (American) film.
Yet this book isn't all it could, and in my view should, have been. It really offers very little besides the literal text of the final movie version (including some of Annette Bening's and Kevin Spacey's improvisations). Other film scripts I own include in-depth information about genesis, casting, production etc., loads of good still and behind-the-scenes photography, as well as discarded scenes and earlier versions of scenes. None of that here, even though several parts of the film were drastically altered during the filming. There is a 2-page intro by Mendes that adds nothing to the information contained on the DVD, if you own that; and the same goes for the even shorter afterword by Ball (who, on the DVD commentary track, isn't able to get a word in edgewise with Mendes, and so remains something of an enigma). Then there are a few grainy black and white stills that are an insult to the brilliant cinematography of the movie - and that's it. For makers of a film so ostentatiously concerned with the relativity of material things, it does seem like a rather cheap way to squeeze some extra bucks from it...

Today is the first day of the rest of your life?

Yes.The amazing capability that we have to surprise ourselves and the surrounding life makes you to take control of every moment that you live. Live larger.

Lester has this capability. He never died . He just smiled. before taking a pause.

AMAZING BEAUTY. That's what I can write about this movie and the writer.

If you didn't like the movie as you watched it, then you'll gonna love it after you read this script!

I am approaching 25, but I was first exposed to it when I was 23. I got very much from reading it then, and now I have got more from reading it again. And I am sure I will get even more in the future. Food for thought, while it is entertaining at the same time.

Alan Ball is a genius. He crafted a brilliant screenplay that extracts the escence of humanity. Just read it, you'll see.

The movie is good, so this is good. But one thing I like about the screenplay version of TERMINATOR 2 is that it includes additional scenes, etc., that didn't make the final film. The orignal version of AMERICAN BEAUTY has the drug-dealer boy friend being framed for Spacey's murder, and also Spacey actually has sex with his daughter's friend. They changed those things for the movie, and I would have liked to have seen the alternate versions, even if as an appendix at the end. But nice to have the script nonetheless.

American Beauty is an absolute must-read for any fan of film or screenwriting. Alan Ball has crafted what can easily be called a picture-perfect example of what a script should be. Ball dares to give each character time to themselves, where we see them intimately and vulnerable: Carolyn in the house she's showing, Lester stripping down in the garage, Jane at the mirror critiquing her body. In this manner we are able to instantly define their struggles, and what makes them tick. The story develops naturally and comfortably. Not once is any scene or momemt neither predictable nor unrealistic. Most often with screenplays there is something lacking--usually the added visual elements that demonstrate the script. With American Beauty it reads clearly on its own; the genius of the director, actors, cinematographers, costumers etc. merely elaborated on the prevalent themes. American Beauty is my favorite film and screenplay of all time. It is pure cinematic genius.

This is one of the best movies, and scripts that I have ever seen or read (respectively). I thought that Mr. Ball's charcters were incredibly complex, and very very real. I can see a little bit of me in almost every charcter. It is a very real script, that should strike a cord in everyone who reads it. I know it did for me

This was one of the finest screen plays that I have ever read. I would almost rather have read it first then see the movie first. The way that Ball tells his story is incredilbe. Reading this screen play helps you to fully understand the greatness that is American Beauty. The story is amazing. The character has such depth and the atmosphere and visual imagery that Ball creates is breath talking. It is truly a master piece and deserving of it's Oscar.

American Beauty.Brilliant. What to say really. This is a exceptional story about a mid-aged man who is reborn, again. Ball and Mendes present us with a typical (dis-functional) American family. In which each member is striving for somthing better. The underlying message Ball is conveying to the Audience is relativly simple (eventhough this film works on so many levels): Life is Beautiful. We need to take the time (like Ricky does) to see the world for what it really it. Lester says somthing which sums up this whole notion "It's hard to stay angry when there is so much beauty in the world". The Screenplay is not a script. It is poetry. Ball, through use of Lester, describes our world with much love. This film is definatly a piece of Social Commentry. A familys asperation for the 'American Dream'.

Blake Williams (age 16) -Australia