"…we get the pleasure of the edgiest, most watchable actor of our day: Kevin Spacey. With ‘American Beauty,’ he lays solid claim to being Hollywood’s most compellingly offbeat presence."
"Ball’s script (beautifully illustrated by the photography of Conrad Hall)…"
"…there is great wit in the lip-smacking gusto Spacey brings to this character."
"Bening has righteous comic verve…"
"The real find here is Wes Bentley…"
"‘American Beauty’ is the year’s most deceptively entertaining film, one that packs a powerful punch and plants questions in the viewers mind even as it engrosses on the most powerful level."