IMDb > American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty
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American Beauty (1999) More at IMDbPro »

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American Beauty (1999) -- 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.
American Beauty (1999) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Alan Ball (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for American Beauty on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 October 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
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
Awards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 83 wins & 74 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(422 articles)
10 closest Oscar races in the past 20 years
 (From Gold Derby. 23 November 2009, 1:12 PM, PST)

Directors of the Decade: Brad Bird
 (From FilmExperience. 21 November 2009, 7:34 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Beautiful... more (2497 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

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

Kent Faulcon ... Sale House Man #3
Brenda Wehle ... Sale House Woman #4
Lisa Cloud ... Sale House Woman #5
Alison Faulk ... Spartanette #1
Krista Goodsitt ... Spartanette #2
Lily Houtkin ... Spartanette #3
Carolina Lancaster ... Spartanette #4
Romana Leah ... Spartanette #5

Chekesha Van Putten ... Spartanette #6 (as Chekesa Van Putten)
Emily Zachary ... Spartanette #7

Nancy Anderson ... Spartanette #8
Reshma Gajjar ... Spartanette #9
Stephanie Rizzo ... Spartanette #10

Heather Joy Sher ... Playground Girl #1
Chelsea Hertford ... Playground Girl #2

Amber Smith ... Christy Kane

Joel McCrary ... Catering Boss

Marissa Jaret Winokur ... Mr. Smiley's Counter Girl
Dennis Anderson ... Mr. Smiley's Manager

Matthew Kimbrough ... Firing Range Attendant
Erin Cathryn Strubbe ... Young Jane Burnham
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bruce Cohen ... Bartender (uncredited)
Elaine Corral Kendall ... Newscaster (uncredited)

David C. Fisher ... Wedding Guest (uncredited)

Tom Miller ... Advertising Executive (uncredited)
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Directed by
Sam Mendes 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
Alan Ball (written by)

Produced by
Alan Ball .... co-producer
Bruce Cohen .... producer
Dan Jinks .... producer
Stan Wlodkowski .... co-producer
 
Original Music by
Thomas Newman 
 
Cinematography by
Conrad L. Hall 
 
Film Editing by
Tariq Anwar 
Christopher Greenbury 
 
Casting by
Debra Zane 
 
Production Design by
Naomi Shohan 
 
Art Direction by
David Lazan  (as David S. Lazan)
 
Set Decoration by
Jan K. Bergstrom 
 
Costume Design by
Julie Weiss 
 
Makeup Department
Cydney Cornell .... hair stylist: Ms. Bening
Patricia Dehaney-Le May .... key hair stylist
Julie Hewett .... makeup artist: Ms. Bening
Juliet Loveland .... makeup artist: second unit
Tania McComas .... key makeup artist
Carol A. O'Connell .... key hair stylist
Cheri Ruff .... hair stylist: second unit
Steven R. Soussanna .... hair stylist: second unit (as Steve R. Soussana)
Christine M. Steele .... makeup artist
Debra-Lee Davidson .... additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Buffy Zerefski .... assistant makeup artist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Lisa Dennis Kennedy .... post-production supervisor
Cristen Carr Strubbe .... unit production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tony Adler .... first assistant director
Rosemary C. Cremona .... second assistant director (as Rosemary Cremona)
Carey Dietrich .... first assistant director
Chris Edmonds .... first assistant director: second unit
Michelle Edmonds .... second assistant director: second unit
Peter E. Hirsch .... second assistant director
Stephanie Kime .... second second assistant director
 
Art Department
Brook Bacon .... swing gang
Michael Casey .... lead person (as Michael P. Casey)
Kevin Chambers .... swing gang
Tony Chance .... storyboard artist
Molly Click .... art department coordinator
Andrea Dopaso .... set designer
Rob Garlow .... propmaker foreman (as Robert Garlow)
Jim Heritage .... plasterer foreman
Mike Higelmire .... lead person (as Michael Higelmire)
Tom Hrupcho .... paint foreman
Richard W. Jones .... greens foreman
Ian Kay .... on-set dresser
Gary Kudroff .... swing gang
Carolyn Lassek .... on-set dresser
Lance Mancuso .... construction first aid
Joe Ondrejko .... construction coordinator
Lisa Penaranda .... set decoration coordinator
Lynda Reiss .... property master
Robin Richesson .... storyboard artist
John A. Scott III .... swing gang
Catherine Smith .... assistant art director
Suzan Wexler .... set designer
Angela M. Whiting .... assistant property master (as Angela Whiting)
Chris Zimmerman .... stand-by painter
Ted Haigh .... graphic artist (uncredited)
Allen Lafferty .... propmaker (uncredited)
Angela O'Neill .... assistant property master (uncredited)
Maureen Osborne .... buyer (uncredited)
Chris Samp .... stand-by painter (uncredited)
Parker Swanson .... additional props (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Brian Basham .... adr recordist
Bob Beemer .... sound re-recording mixer
Bryan Bowen .... sound effects editor
Simon Coke .... dialogue editor
Dean Drabin .... adr mixer
Carl Fischer .... boom operator
Paul Flinchbaugh .... digital sound assistant
Scott Martin Gershin .... supervising sound editor
Nerses Gezalyan .... foley mixer
Mark Gordon .... dialogue editor
Trevor Jolly .... adr supervisor
Lee W. Lebaigue .... digital sound assistant (as Lee LeBaigue)
Scott Millan .... sound re-recording mixer
James Moriana .... foley artist
Thomas O'Neil Younkman .... first assistant sound editor
Mark Ormandy .... additional sound
Tom Ozanich .... foley editor
Alan Rankin .... sound effects editor
Richard Van Dyke .... production sound mixer
Rich Weingart .... adr mixer (as Richard Weingart)
Jeffrey Wilhoit .... foley artist (as Jeffrey B. Wilhoit)
Greg Zimmerman .... foley recordist
Peter Zinda .... foley editor
David Abrahamsen .... sound (uncredited)
Sean England .... sound re-recordist (uncredited)
Dan Lipe .... cable person (uncredited)
James Marchione .... adr recordist (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Jason Hansen .... special effects assistant
John C. Hartigan .... special effects coordinator
Wayne Incorvaia .... special effects assistant
Eugene P. Rizzardi .... special effects assistant (as Gene Rizzardi)
Paul Sokol .... special effects assistant
Michael Thompson .... special effects assistant
Chris Walkowiak .... special effects assistant (as Christopher Walkowiak)
 
Visual Effects by
Jenny Behnke .... visual effects technical assistant: CFC/MVFX
John Bozzalla .... visual effects runner: CFC/MVFX
John Cassella .... 3D artist: CFC/MVFX (as John Cassella Jr.)
Robert Chapin .... 3D artist: CFC/MVFX
Nicolle Cornute .... paint/roto artist: CFC/MVFX
Matt Dessero .... visual effects compositor: CFC/MVFX
David Durham .... visual effects technical assistant: CFC/MVFX
Susan Evans .... paint/roto artist: CFC/MVFX
Donald Fly .... visual effects general manager: CFC/MVFX (as Don Fly)
Fortunato Frattasio .... visual effects compositor: CFC/MVFX
David Goldberg .... visual effects supervisor: CFC/MVFX
Nicolle Gray .... visual effects technical assistant: CFC/MVFX
Rob Hodgson .... visual effects supervisor: CFC/MVFX
Matt Magnolia .... visual effects editorial: CFC/MVFX
James M. McEwen .... visual effects gaffer: second unit (as James McEwen)
Sheldon Ramones .... visual effects technical assistant: CFC/MVFX
Tomme B. Stanley .... paint/roto artist: CFC/MVFX
Jonathan F. Styrlund .... visual effects producer: CFC/MVFX
Janet Yale .... visual effects producer: CFC/MVFX
Travis Baumann .... compositing artist (uncredited)
Paula Bonhomme .... visual effects coordinator: CFC/MVFX (uncredited)
Gregory Creaser .... digital timer: Pacific Title (uncredited)
Matt Linder .... digital artist (uncredited)
Olivier Sarda .... digital compositor (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Phil Culotta .... utility stunts
Ben Scott .... stunt coordinator
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Huston Beaumont .... rigging gaffer
Tom Boone .... grip
Lester Boykin .... electrician
Clyde E. Bryan .... first assistant camera
John Carney .... assistant chief lighting technician
James M. Cox .... chief lighting technician: second unit (as James Cox)
Ross Dunkerley .... electrician
John Emory .... grip
Paul Farley .... best boy grip: second unit
Carlos M. Gallardo .... dolly grip (as Carlos Gallardo)
Earl Gayer .... electrician
Mike Gentile .... second assistant camera: second unit
Ron Glenn .... grip
David Golia .... director of photography: second unit
Sergio Gutierrez .... dolly grip: second unit
Geoffrey Haley .... camera operator: video camera
Conrad W. Hall .... director of photography: second unit
Dean M. King .... best boy grip (as Dean King)
Gerald A. King .... rigging key grip (as Jerry King)
Kenny King .... key grip: second unit
John Lacy .... electrician
Ralph Merzbach .... 24 frame playback technician: second unit
David H. Neale .... electrician (as David Neale)
Thomas Noroian .... grip
Aaron Pazanti .... camera operator
Patrick G. Ralston .... assistant chief lighting technician: second unit
David Riley .... first assistant camera: second unit
Lorey Sebastian .... still photographer
Tom Stern .... chief lighting technician
Michael Thomas .... camera loader
Andrew Towne .... electrician (as Andy Towne)
Suzanne Trucks .... second assistant camera (as Suzanne M. Trucks)
Donald J. Vos .... best boy grip (as Don Vos)
Bill Young .... key grip
Richard Brooks Burton .... aerial first assistant camera (uncredited)
Kelly Diehl .... libra head technician (uncredited)
Rick Harris .... best boy rigging grip (uncredited)
Dana Kroeger .... additional camera operator (uncredited)
Dana Kroeger .... second assistant camera: "b" camera (uncredited)
Peter McAdams .... grip (uncredited)
Michael McCormack .... video playback operator (uncredited)
Daisuke Dice Miyake .... rigging grip (uncredited)
Robert J. Reilly .... production grip: second unit (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Raquel Osborne .... extras casting
Terri Taylor .... casting assistant
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marcy Grace Froehlich .... assistant costume designer (as Marcy Froehlich)
Lee Harris .... set costumer: second unit
Alix Hester .... set costumer
Hope Slepak .... costume supervisor (as Hope B. Slepak)
Sanford Slepak .... key costumer
Kanani Wolf .... set costumer
 
Editorial Department
Martin Cohen .... post-production executive
Vince Filippone .... assistant editor: avid
P.J. Harling .... assistant editor: avid
Phil Hetos .... color timer
Larry Madaras .... first assistant editor
Lisa Marie Serra .... post-production coordinator
Jeffrey Skinner .... editorial production assistant
Tracey Wadmore-Smith .... first assistant editor
Kevin Du Toit .... post-production assistant (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Bill Bernstein .... music editor
Julian Bratolyubov .... music preparation
Jordan Corngold .... assistant music editor
Joanie Diener .... music editor
Chris Douridas .... music supervisor
Tom Hardisty .... music recordist (as Tom Hardesty)
Todd Homme .... executive in charge of music
David Marquette .... music recordist
Leslie Morris .... music contractor
Thomas Pasatieri .... orchestrator
Dennis S. Sands .... music scoring mixer (as Dennis Sands)
Bill Bernstein .... musician: detuned mandolin (uncredited)
George Budd .... musician: processed bass flute and phonograph (uncredited)
Rick Cox .... musician: banjo ukelele and bass tin whistle (uncredited)
George Doering .... musician: mandola, appalachian dulcimer and lap steel guitar (uncredited)
Bruce Dukov .... musician: arpeggiated violin (uncredited)
Michael Fisher .... musician: tablas, lim-kim drums and bird calls (uncredited)
Steve Kujala .... musician: flute (uncredited)
Thomas Newman .... musician: piano/saxophone (uncredited)
Chas Smith .... musician: pedal steel guitar (uncredited)
Steve Tavaglione .... musician: flute and ewi (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Jeff Couch .... driver
Ed Evans .... driver
Jim Johnson .... driver
Alan Kaminsky .... driver (as Al Kaminsky)
A. Welch Lambeth .... transportation coordinator
Ronald Linxwiler .... driver (as Ron Linxwiler)
Randy Lovelady .... transportation captain
George R. Matejka .... driver
Héctor Mendoza .... driver (as Hector Mendoza)
Wayne Parviainen .... driver
Glen R. Polzel .... driver
Danny Routhicaux .... driver (as Daniel Routhieaux)
Paul Schwanke .... driver
Tyler Tennesen .... driver
Jon Thorgusen .... driver
David Trevino .... driver (as Dave Trevino)
Daniel Valenzuela .... driver
Bill Wolff .... driver
Prentis Woods .... driver
Mark Yacullo .... driver
Jeff Kidman .... transportation office manager (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Paula Abdul .... choreographer
Newell Alexander .... adr voice
Christine Bonnem .... location manager
Susan Boyajian .... adr voice
Robert D. Brugger .... first aid (as Robert Brugger)
Dana Brunetti .... assistant: Mr. Spacey
Steve Buhai .... production assistant (as Steven Buhai)
Jennifer Carlson .... 24 frame video playback technician
Mitch Carter .... adr voice
Mark Cirillo .... adr voice
Robert Clotworthy .... adr voice
Tara B. Cook .... assistant: Mr. Mendes
David Cowgill .... adr voice
Stephen P. Del Prete .... production assistant
Maria DeVane .... post-production accountant
Moosie Drier .... adr voice
Ike Eisenmann .... adr voice (as Iake Eissinmann)
Yoshi Enoki Jr. .... assistant location manager
Marina Freeman .... stand-in
Maurice 'Moe' Freeman .... production assistant (as Maurice Freeman)
Marilyn Giardino .... script supervisor: second unit (as Marilyn Giardino-Zyeh)
Jackie Gonneau .... adr voice
René González .... projectionist (as Rene Gonzales)
Joy A. Green .... animal handler
Victor A. Haddox .... assistant accountant (as Victor Haddox)
Anna E. Hayward .... production assistant
Chee Ho .... location assistant
Bridget Hoffman .... adr voice (as Bridgette Hoffman)
Jeff Jenofsky .... production assistant
Patricia S. Kingery .... assistant accountant (as Tricia Kingery)
Krissy Korn .... craft service: second unit (as Krissy C. Korn)
Michael Labog .... production assistant: second unit
Matthew Laborteaux .... adr voice (as Matthew Labyorteaux)
David Linck .... unit publicist
Janet Lonsdale .... production accountant
Christina MacGregor .... adr voice
Nichole McWhorter .... stand-in
Pia Mehr .... studio teacher
Edie Mirman .... adr voice
Cindy Montoya-Picker .... assistant choreographer (as Cindy Picker)
Christie Moreau .... adr voice
Kim Mozingo .... assistant: Ms. Bening
Michael Musteric .... production assistant: second unit (as Michael J. Musteric)
Damon Preston .... stand-in
Ana Maria Quintana .... script supervisor
Mark Rabinowitz .... production assistant
Deborah Ricketts .... researcher
Debbie-Lynn Siegel .... payroll accountant (as Debbie Lynn Siegel)
Shannon Speaker .... assistant production coordinator
Kelly Stuart .... assistant: Mr. Cohen and Mr. Jinks
J. Ben Sykes .... production assistant
George L. Tarrant Jr. .... production assistant
Mike Torchia .... personal trainer: Mr. Spacey (as Michael Torchia)
Jim Turner .... production controller
Christa Vausbinder .... production coordinator
Matt Walker .... production secretary
Christian Walsh .... production assistant
Daniel J. Walsh .... stand-in
Gillian Martin Waterman .... production assistant
Charles Weaver .... craft service
Mike Welch .... assistant: Mr. Spacey
Tim Werle .... first aid
Robert 'Bobby Z' Zajonc .... pilot: second unit
Chris Douridas .... voice (uncredited)
Jason Dudek .... production assistant (uncredited)
Jeff Lovely .... location coordinator (uncredited)
Chris Miller .... technical consultant (uncredited)
Steven R. Molen .... production executive (uncredited)
Mike Piccirillo .... set production assistant (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Nicole Kidman .... special thanks
Pete Townshend .... special thanks
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexuality, language, violence and drug content.
Runtime:
122 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The title of the film refers to a breed of roses that while pretty and appealing in appearance, is often prone to rot underneath at the roots and branches of the plant. Thus, the tagline "...look closer" tells the viewer that when they look beyond the "perfect suburban life" they will find something rancid at the root. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: In the opening sequence of the film we see an overhead shot of the Burnhams' master bedroom, Lester is lying in bed on his stomach, rousing when his alarm clock goes off. Circular white matte board cutouts cap the top of the lamp shades on either side of the bed blocking the bare light bulbs from shining straight into the camera lens (and probably hiding color correcting gels on the bulbs that would only be found in lamps on nightstands in bedrooms on stage). more
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?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Bodilfesten 2001 (2001) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Something Grand more

FAQ

Is this movie based on a novel?
How old was Jane supposed to be?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
243 out of 301 people found the following comment useful.
Beautiful..., 29 November 2003
10/10

Probably the best film of 1999. This dark comedy drama marks two fantastic feature film debuts with Alan Ball as writer and Sam Mendes as director (both winning oscars for their sterling efforts).

Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham, a man on the brink of a mid-life crisis, who suddenly becomes obsessed with one of his teenage daughters friends played by Mena Suvari. His daughter (Thora Birch) is, as Lester tells us; "a typical teenager. Angry, insecure, confused...". And his wife Caroline (Annette Bening) has an obsession of her own, her public appearance.

Life starts off on a downer for the Burnhams and their new neighbours the Fitts despite their lives looking good from the outside.

As life begins to improve (with most of the main characters finding what they think is love or new relationships) it soon all comes crashing down in the climactic final day.

The writing is nothing short of brilliant and made even more amazing by knowing that it comes from a first time feature film screen writer Alan Ball (who had had years of prior experience writing TV sitcoms - not that you'd be able to guess from the tone of this film).

The directing is on a par with the writing and Sam Mendes manages to get some brilliant performances from the great cast, who are all faultless. No doubt Mendes' theatre directing past played a huge part in directing the actors so well.

Another person worthy of a mention is the late director of photography Conrad L. Hall, another one of the five oscar recipients for this film.

All the elements in this film gel perfectly together to make one superb masterpiece. Not one person, either cast or crew, steals this film or does anymore than anyone else to make this film what it is. Truly an ensemble effort. 10/10.

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