In the eyes of early beholders, "American Beauty" has fared amazingly well, with reviewers gushing: "It's an exquisitely designed, rather kinky tragicomedy"; "Great script... Great directing... Great acting... Great movie..."; "The film works so well because of one basic fact... the characters are real. It will definitely be regarded as one of the best films of the nineties."

Back in July, Bernard Weinraub of the New York Times wrote that, "Although only a few people have seen the movie, the buzz about it has startled even DreamWorks." Breathless pre-release press focused on everything from Kevin Spacey's performance to the fact that "Cybill" vet Alan Ball's script made it to the screen with nary a studio-mandated rewrite.

It all boils down to a cry for more films that handle adult themes in sophisticated, insightful and entertaining fashion. As Spacey told reporters recently, "The maturity of the film oughta be admired." It is. It is.

First-time director Sam Mendes has been applauded for transferring to film the chops he developed in West End and Broadway theater. In fact, it was his direction of the "Cabaret" revival that caught the eye of DreamWorks honcho Steven Spielberg, Mendes says, adding that he'll soon be back on the boards with Nathan Lane doing the Sondheim musical "Wiseguys."

The younger actors in this dysfunctional family tale include "American Pie" good girl Mena Suvari as a lust-inspiring cheerleader, and 18-year-old Thora Birch, who played two stints as Harrison Ford's daughter in his Tom Clancy movies, in a much meatier kid-of-the-main-characters role.

Annette Benning, out of the publicity loop because she's pregnant with her fourth Warren Beatty kid, provides over-30 star power as the troubled wife and mother. But it's Spacey who's getting raves as a suburbanite seeking rebirth through a monster midlife crisis. It's no wonder: After he saved "The Negotiator" with his second-act entrance last year, it became apparent he's a fine actor no matter what the material. This time out, he's playing a role perfect for a guy who makes his living with subtly complex reaction shots and a dry, slow-burning wit. "The trick" with the "American Beauty" character Lester Burnham, Spacey says, "was to make sure that he evolved into not giving a shit slowly and carefully, and without fanfare."

All this, plus an appearance by stellar "Lone Star" protagonist Chris Cooper? We can only cross our fingers and hope this film lives up to all its beautiful hype. There have already been some warning signs that this will be a bittersweet filmgoing experience, with Newsweek, for instance, saying that "the film lacks the skill of its actors." Maybe one script rewrite wouldn't have been such a bad idea after all?

Check out where Newcity.com affiliates stand on "American Beauty":

BEARING GIFTS
Hollywood gets uncharacteristically smart with "American Beauty" and "Three Kings"

EVERYDAY PEOPLE
"American Beauty" pulls off an uplifting tragedy

WALKING THE LINE
"American Beauty" strikes a balance between bittersweet comedy and human drama

OLD AND NEW
Profound and brilliant, "American Beauty" covers cinematic territory both startlingly original and uncomfortably familiar

BURB BRAIN
Yet another indictment of the American way of life, "American Beauty" fails to dazzle at least one reviewer

AMERICAN WOMAN
The teenage girl next door provides the nexus for unleashing pent-up life

MORE THAN SKIN DEEP
"American Beauty" looks at the power of cheerleader briefs on a near-dead man

BUILDING THE PERFECT BEAST
Screenwriter Alan Ball and star Kevin Spacey discuss the making of "American Beauty"

AMERICAN POUTY
Kevin Spacey's midlife crisis finds its bliss

LIVING IN THE USA
A mesmerizing performance from Kevin Spacey highlights "American Beauty"

THING OF BEAUTY
Spacey's character surprises himself and the viewer

A REAL BEAUT
Kevin Spacey stars in a throwback to the golden age of American cinema

PERFECT FAMILY
"American Beauty" punches dark holes in an American myth

AMERICAN INANITY
Why are movie critics so enamored with the pandering piece of claptrap that is "American Beauty"?

NOT PRETTY, BUT BEAUTIFUL
"American Beauty" is one brilliant, exhilarating film

UNDER GLASS
"American Beauty" dissects suburbia

BEST OF THE FEST
"American Beauty" emerges as the big star at Toronto, but there's more

SLEEPING BEAUTY
"American Beauty" brilliantly defines the new face of suburban malaise

POUT IT OUT
Examining the power of the young-girl pout in "American Beauty" and "Best Laid Plans"

BEAUTY SECRETS
Director Sam Mendes discusses his black comic tale of American suburbia

FOR THE ROSES
Kevin Spacey puts the bloom in "American Beauty"

HEARTLESS
"American Beauty" eventually succumbs to the hypocrisy it claims to expose

SCHMOOZE AND CELLULOID
A quick word with Kevin Spacey at the "American Beauty" world premiere, plus full coverage of the Toronto Film Festival