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American Beauty (1999)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Release Date:
1 October 1999 (USA)
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Tagline:
... look closer
Plot:
Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation for his daughter's attractive friend. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Friendship
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Fast Food Restaurant
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Lust
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Hate
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Rose
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Awards:
Won 5 Oscars.
Another 83 wins
&
74 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(421 articles)
Five Minutes from the Opening Scene of Deadline
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 20 November 2009, 4:28 PM, PST)
Directors of the Decade: Brad Bird
(From FilmExperience. 19 November 2009, 5:07 PM, PST)
(From 28 Days Later Analysis. 20 November 2009, 4:28 PM, PST)
Directors of the Decade: Brad Bird
(From FilmExperience. 19 November 2009, 5:07 PM, PST)
User Comments:
a very well done film that continues to amaze me...
more (2497 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Kevin Spacey | ... | Lester Burnham |
 | Annette Bening | ... | Carolyn Burnham |
 | Thora Birch | ... | Jane Burnham |
 | Wes Bentley | ... | Ricky Fitts |
 | Mena Suvari | ... | Angela Hayes |
 | Chris Cooper | ... | Col. Frank Fitts, USMC |
 | Peter Gallagher | ... | Buddy Kane |
 | Allison Janney | ... | Barbara Fitts |
 | Scott Bakula | ... | Jim Olmeyer |
 | Sam Robards | ... | Jim Berkley |
 | Barry Del Sherman | ... | Brad Dupree |
 | Ara Celi | ... | Sale House Woman #1 |
 | John Cho | ... | Sale House Man #1 |
| Fort Atkinson | ... | Sale House Man #2 |
| Sue Casey | ... | Sale House Woman #2 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexuality, language, violence and drug content.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
122 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Colombia:18 |
Malaysia:(Banned) |
Mexico:C |
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:14A (British Columbia) |
Canada:18A (Alberta) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) |
Canada:PA (Manitoba) |
France:-12 |
Denmark:15 |
Brazil:18 |
Netherlands:12 (re-rating) |
Argentina:18 |
Australia:MA |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-14 |
Germany:12 (bw) (original rating) |
Germany:16 (bw) (re-rating) |
Hong Kong:III |
Iceland:14 (original rating) |
Iceland:16 (video rating) |
India:A |
Ireland:18 |
Israel:PG |
Italy:VM14 |
Japan:R-18 |
Netherlands:16 |
New Zealand:R16 |
Norway:15 |
Peru:18 |
Poland:15 |
Portugal:M/16 |
South Korea:18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:18 |
USA:R (certificate #36807) |
Philippines:R-18 |
Singapore:R(A) |
Singapore:M18 (DVD rating)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The movie was named as one of "The 20 Most Overrated Movies Of All Time" by Premiere.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Lester is driving in his car after leaving his advertising job, the trailing motorcycle cop escorting the picture vehicle (Camry) being towed on the process trailer behind the camera car can be seen going in and out of the shot in the rear window.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Jane Burnham: I need a father who's a role model, not some horny geek-boy who's gonna spray his shorts whenever I bring a girlfriend home from school. What a lame-o. Someone really should just put him out of his misery.
Ricky Fitts: Want me to kill him for you?
Jane Burnham: Yeah. Would you?
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Jane Burnham: I need a father who's a role model, not some horny geek-boy who's gonna spray his shorts whenever I bring a girlfriend home from school. What a lame-o. Someone really should just put him out of his misery.
Ricky Fitts: Want me to kill him for you?
Jane Burnham: Yeah. Would you?
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Daisy Does... (2006)
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Soundtrack:
All Right Now
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FAQ
What is "American Beauty" about?Do the police ever arrest Frank Fitts?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
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more (2497 total)
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When I first saw this movie in theaters, I found it to be very funny. When I rented it at home, I found it to be very sad and complex. Looking at it now, I realize that it is surely one of the most extraordinary films ever to come out of Hollywood. To some it may look trite or cliched, or maybe too un-ordinary to be worthy of its praise, but the overall impact of this film is extremely powerful. After you've seen it, you know you've seen something.
A few notable elements stand out. The direction is superb; this is visually a superior film, for the director understands the subtle changes in tone. The writing is equally compelling; the story effortlessly interweaves multiple stories to create one amazing movie. The haunting music is also notable. Lastly is the acting. Kevin Spacey has done excellent films before, and he can add this one to the list. He may be a little to witty to suggest the overshadowed character he portrays, but he simply disappears into the role. Annette Bening is also fine; a less strong role, but she is magnificent none the less. As the teenagers, Thora Birch is able to mesmerize us with one intense look; her "typical teenager" role is fleshed out completely. I enjoyed Mena Suvari's character equally. It seemed that she did not receive as much acclaim, but her performance evokes both innocence and experience, and her scenes toward the end give her a depth unlike any other character. And Wes Bentley, as the video-taping boy next door, is easily the most original character. At first he seems a little tense, but, like Spacey, he sinks into the role. His "purpose" in the film, unlike anyone else's, is a mystery, thus making him the most enigmatic person.
Most films are able to make a lasting impression on its audience, but never has a movie been known to "move" its viewers as much as this movie. It truly says something about life, no matter how predictable or tacky it appears, this film disturbingly shows us how to appreciate our individual lives, so therefore, when they are over, we each have something to remember.