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Summary: On an ordinary school day in California, a seemingly ordinary student named Leland Fitzgerald (Gosling) commits a devastating, inexplicable crime...and changes everything forever...not only for Leland but his family, friends and the teacher who becomes obsessed with trying to figure out why. (Paramount Classics)
I thought this was pretty good. It was interesting enough, and Ryan Gosling carries the film nicely especially with his narration. It raises some interesting points and ends up being a nice character study of a troubled young man.
My ex only refers to Ryan Gosling as Leland no matter what role Ryan Gosling plays. Obviously he isn't Canadian and knows nothing about Ryan Gosling's TV career prior to the making of this movie. That being said this movie was pretty terrible. I noticed in the comments that someone said the movie felt hollow. I agree 100%. Bland. Un-anything good.
A strong movie, taking a quiet, non-sensational approach to a disturbed young man. Simply and subtly shot, this is a film that allows you to pick your interpretation and understand it accordingly. Excellent performances throughout don't throw the problems or messages of the film in your face, but provide engaging and realistic reactions. This film tackles a difficult subject with some style and sensitivity, without pulling any punches.
I wanted this to be better than it was. The cast is so very good, but the film felt somewhat hollow. It wanted to make a point, but the point it wanted to make was too trite and small and has been made better elsewhere. Too bad. It could've been good -- but it really wasn't.
Leland sees sadness in everyone so he kills a retard. A journalist thinks this is profound so he asks him why he killed: "Sometimes things happen because they happen" is Leland's answer. In the end Leland-narrator dies because Matthew Ryan Hoge is a big fan of American Beauty and because it makes the movie look really meaningful. Some people might fall for this pseudo-philosophical crap mainly for the cast, which is pretty good, but the screenplay is dumb. Truly the worst movie I have ever seen.
Far be it for me to disagree with people calling this the worst movie they've ever seen. They're wrong. I'll gladly admit I don't know how it managed to be so good, it seems like it should be pretty awful. Then you find out the people who dislike it liked Donnie Darko and Zoolander and it makes sense.