I've watched American Beauty twice in the past week and I just can't get enough of this movie. I've owned it for a while and always liked it, but it's one of those films you can just watch over and over and constantly find new things to appreciate. I decided I'd try to piece together what makes it so great.

1. The acting. You know actors are good when you go through an entire movie without once thinking about their performances. They perform their roles so well (and maybe also because the plot is so intriguing and well arranged), that the only time you really wake up from the movie's spell is to notice how good of a job they are doing in presenting their characters. This happened to me on numerous occasions. The one time I was not impressed occurred when Jane laughs after Ricky zooms in and out on her gazongas. Her laugh sounds fake. This is my only complaint.

2. The script. According to Sam Mendes, the director, the final movie did not deviate much from the original screenplay. I was able to find it here, and I think he's right. They made some edits and removed some aspects of the plot, such as Ricky being convicted for Lester's murder. I'm glad that they took it out, as it would have detracted from the ending, which was rightly focused on Lester's enlightenment.

3. The soundtrack. It's simple and catchy, yet eerie and mystical at the same time. It supplements well the feelings of chaos and dysfunction that run rampant in the film.

4. The messages/themes. Like any good movie, the final message is substantiated by the progressions of the characters throughout. The scenes flow logically from one to the next, so it's usually clear why things are the way they are, and why characters arrive at certain conclusions. While I was a little annoyed at how blatant and spoon-fed the final message was the first time I saw it, I have come to find this more acceptable now that I've seen it a few more times. Besides, there are so many great themes to note in this film in addition to what Spacey's final narration reveals.

5. The Re-Animator reference. Such a great movie.