MovieChat Forums > Bill (2008) Discussion > American Beauty rip-off.

American Beauty rip-off.

posted 15 years ago by stephenieann
16 replies | jump to latest

This movie was absolutely awful. From the first scene where Bill's checking his face out in the mirror, I could just tell this was going to be a poor attempt at a deep "indie" film. Bill's character was just pathetic. The little kid's character was just bizarre, and not in a good way... Just confusing and so far-fetched. Jessica Alba should just stop acting altogether. All she does is make movies even worse.
Whatever idiot made this film was trying way too hard, and missed the mark by miles. Not to mention the plot is EXTREMELY similar to American Beauty, but in comparison, absolute trash.

If you haven't seen this, don't waste your time unless you enjoy really, really bad filmmaking.

[–] starcraft_bud 15 years ago

Wow. Where to begin.

The above post was written by a biased idiot. First, let me state my position. I just saw this movie, I thought it was alright and I just came to imdb to see what other people thought. The film sort of went under the radar and while not completely original, it was fairly entertaining.

To say something as blatant as "this movie was absolutely awful" shows just what type of stupid person wrote the above post. First of all, "absolutely awful" is unreasonably extreme. That type of phrase should be saved for films like Battlefield Earth.

Next, look at the phrase, "I could just tell this was going to be a poor attempt at a deep "indie" film". Is this because the beginning didn't start with explosions, nudity, or something hilarious? Your little brain couldn't process a movie that didn't have something to shock or grab your attention? Grow up Peter Pan. It wasn't a huge Hollywood blockbuster. And I didn't get the "deep" vibe at all. It might have been an indie film without hoopla and special effects, but so what? Its just like any other drama/comedy.

The high school kid was a little bizarre and out of place at times. But one of my friends from high school was very similar to that kid. But your opinion or dislike of this character is valid.

And then there is the Jessica Alba bash. Firstly, she has a small role in the movie and plays a pretty generic character so how you can blame her for anything is nonsense. Judging by your user name, I am guessing Jessica Alba's hotness gives you jealous female syndrome. That is a poor trait to have. And all she does is make movies worse? Wow, you must be so much smarter than every person who casts movies and keeps putting her in them, because none of them see things as you do.

The plot is certainly not "EXTREMELY" similar to American Beauty. It has a few similarities, sure, but vast differences as well. I must admit I am surprised you have seen American Beauty, but from the way you compare this movie to it, I am guessing its one of the few dramas you have seen.

What frustrates me is not that you dislike this movie. Its that you come on here and write such an illogical overly harsh bashing of the movie without any objectivity or solid reasoning.

[–] YassenJ 15 years ago

It's obvious the OP is a female, even if her username was Joe. No man in his right mind would ever write a phrase such as "Jessica Alba should just stop acting altogether.";))

[–] TxMike 15 years ago

No. Everything you wrote is way off-base. And the movie bears very little resemblance to "American Beauty." Whatever idiot wrote your note for you missed the mark by miles.

TxMike
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

[–] gaddamidi 15 years ago

actually, I saw bits of a few different films, most notably "About A Boy". I did see efforts for it to match qualities of quirky Wes Anderson's films like "The Royal Tenenbaums". American Beauty was ensemble film; a complex film dealing with multiple characters with layers and issues like marriage, mid-life crisis, homosexuality, cheating, teenage life, success/failure, liberal/conservative, etc. I dont see a correlation except for a mid-life man learning of his wife's infidelities - but there are many films about that singular subject. Jessica Alba really cant act but I dont mind her screen time. That I blame more on the director not developing her character more than a hot chick being used for friendship and hotness. 'Bill' could have been a much better film if it were cast better. All the actors were great - but you could tell that the hollywood suits took a script and tried to make a wide release film out of it. Similar efforts created 'Weather Man' with Nick Cage and even 'Threesome' with Laura Flynn Boyle and Billy Baldwin.

[–] scoobydiesel 15 years ago

I highly disagree with the OP.

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One day i'll have something cool posted here....

[–] andyd-1 9 years ago

nothing like American Beauty, apart from - man has mid-life crisis, wife cheats on him, forms relationships with younger people, quits job, smokes weed, has some sexual adventures. But it's not a scene-by-scene remake.

[–] panag3 15 years ago

I didnt even notice this at first. I both movies alot though.

[–] doodle_bug00 15 years ago

While I will agree the plot was kind of all over the place, I will also say that the movie was entertaining in its own right. I dont think the film making was bad per say... The plot could have been tightened. That is really my only complaint about this movie. The acting was top notch (with the exception to miss alba. Its not that shes HORRIBLE but she is the same in every single role i have ever seen her in.) Aaron eckhart is amazing as always. The kid...who played the kid is always really good too. Anywho, i feel like this film was basicly trying to show Bills life...and it worked..meh its late and that may or may not of made sense! haha

"Trying to pull myself away. I'm caught in a pattern and I can't escape."

[–] starrymike-1 15 years ago

I hated the intro scene too, but loved the movie.. I just thought that mirror scene was unnecessary.. Everything he was thinking would soon be revealed anyway, and I'm a big believer in the 'Show, don't tell' style of filmmaking, so I was put off when he was kinda saying 'Ok, here's whats happening.. Are you up to speed? Good! Now lets start this movie!' Its just extra and they could've done something better (like a shorter, silent scene, because his expressions would've shown his insecurities)..

But I disagree with everything else.. This movie had a few rough patches, but I was pleasantly surprised.. And I really enjoyed the Kid.. And I don't really know how Jessica Alba stands out to anyone in this movie.. Her role is so minimal..

..Took a Train to New York City, Met a Guy I thought was Pretty..

[–] hppg 15 years ago

I thought it was quite good, entertaining enough, the mirror scene wasn't the best but some of the others were pretty funny. I don't think it was very similar to "American Beauty" at all - I liked it more than that though.

[–] deadbunny28 12 years ago

you excited? GET EXCITED!!!

[–] eqdealerguy 11 years ago

I also couldn't shake the feeling that it was an American Beauty ripoff. Rather, it took the midlife crisis portion of American Beauty and drew it out with much less finesse. Bill is unhappy. Bill has the prototypical modern society forcing him down. Bill must rebel against social norms to find peace. Marijuana is vaguely rebellious. Bill does that. Bill finds solace with the help of a not yet jaded youth. Etc...

Just my opinion. The first response to this topic tore into the OP like he murdered a village. Sheesh.

[–] gabby_bm 11 years ago

Even after reading these "American Beauty" similarities, which are apparently right in my face, I still can't see it as such. it has many of the same elements but plays with these concepts in a completely different manner.

The more I think about it i'm kind of embarrassed that I didn't see the similarities while watching it. But then again, the tone of the films were quite different which obscured what might, in other hands, come across as a parody of American Beauty.

"De gustibus non disputandum est"
#3

[–] olliemankz 10 years ago

huh ?????

[–] Dan_Garten 9 years ago

Interesting.