Actually, I don't remember the first film you mention, and American Beauty was not a film I wanted to see - I am not a film buff and see relatively few films every year. I did go and see Wicked Little Letters the other night. I thought I might enjoy it.as a period British comedy. Certainly a crowded little cinema here in NZ did, laughing uproariously and applauding, but I have to say t left me cold. I didn't find the premise particularly funny, the comedic exaggeration was laboured and clichéed - it was more sad really, and I've long since passed the age that finds constant though inventive profanity is itself amusing. But there you are. You might fare better.