Thoughts on American Beauty DVD

The “Awards Edition” DVD is well-stocked with extra features. The DVD contains feature-length commentary by writer Alan Ball and Director Sam Mendes, “Look Closer” a 20- Minute Behind the Scenes featurette, an hour-long Storyboard to film presentation with Mendes and Director of Photography Conrad Hall, two trailers for the film; cast and crew bios; and some fairly extensive Production notes, in addition to some DVD-ROM features. While the materials provided really help the viewer to “…

…film offers a tremendous contrast. It is a wonderful film that will leave the viewer taking in the meaning of the film long after the film has ended. While Oscar voters can often seem to be a bit off the mark, passing over more unconventional films of remarkable splendor in favor of big period pieces or the films of big directors, repeated viewings of American Beauty will suggest that they really got this one right