Page "American Beauty (film)" Paragraph 61

Maslin felt that Mendes directed with " terrific visual flair ", saying his minimalist style balanced " the mordant and bright " and that he evoked the " delicate, eroticized power-playing vignettes " of his theater work.

Jackson said Mendes ' theatrical roots rarely showed, and that the " most remarkable " aspect was that Spacey's performance did not overshadow the film.

He said that Mendes worked the script's intricacies smoothly, to the ensemble's strengths, and staged the tonal shifts skillfully.

McCarthy believed American Beauty a " stunning card of introduction " for film débutantes Mendes and Ball.

He said Mendes ' " sure hand " was " as precise and controlled " as his theater work.

McCarthy cited Hall's involvement as fortunate for Mendes, as the cinematographer was " unsurpassed " at conveying the themes of a work.

Turan agreed that Mendes ' choice of collaborators was " shrewd ", naming Hall and Newman in particular.

Turan suggested that American Beauty may have benefited from Mendes ' inexperience, as his " anything's possible daring " made him attempt beats that more seasoned directors might have avoided.

Turan felt that Mendes ' accomplishment was to " capture and enhance duality " of Ball's script — the simultaneously " caricatured ... and painfully real " characters.

Hentzi, while critical of many of Mendes and Ball's choices, admitted the film showed off their " considerable talents ".