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American Beauty

  • 1999
  • R
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
1.2M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
309
62
Kevin Spacey, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, and Wes Bentley in 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.
Play trailer3:01
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Psychological DramaTragedyDrama

A sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.A sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.A sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.

  • Director
    • Sam Mendes
  • Writer
    • Alan Ball
  • Stars
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Annette Bening
    • Thora Birch
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    1.2M
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    309
    62
    • Director
      • Sam Mendes
    • Writer
      • Alan Ball
    • Stars
      • Kevin Spacey
      • Annette Bening
      • Thora Birch
    • 3.1KUser reviews
    • 208Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #81
    • Won 5 Oscars
      • 112 wins & 102 nominations total

    Videos4

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 3:01
    Theatrical Version
    A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes
    Clip 1:59
    A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes
    A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes
    Clip 1:59
    A Guide to the Films of Sam Mendes
    Roles That Jake Gyllenhaal Turned Down
    Video 2:55
    Roles That Jake Gyllenhaal Turned Down
    How TIFF Gets the Oscars Right
    Video 2:26
    How TIFF Gets the Oscars Right

    Photos292

    View Poster
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    + 286
    View Poster

    Top cast44

    Edit
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Lester Burnham
    Annette Bening
    Annette Bening
    • Carolyn Burnham
    Thora Birch
    Thora Birch
    • Jane Burnham
    Wes Bentley
    Wes Bentley
    • Ricky Fitts
    Mena Suvari
    Mena Suvari
    • Angela Hayes
    Peter Gallagher
    Peter Gallagher
    • Buddy Kane
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • Barbara Fitts
    Chris Cooper
    Chris Cooper
    • Colonel Fitts
    Scott Bakula
    Scott Bakula
    • Jim Olmeyer
    Sam Robards
    Sam Robards
    • Jim Berkley
    Barry Del Sherman
    • Brad
    Ara Celi
    Ara Celi
    • Sale House Woman #1
    John Cho
    John Cho
    • Sale House Man #1
    Fort Atkinson
    • Sale House Man #2
    Sue Casey
    • Sale House Woman #2
    Kent Faulcon
    Kent Faulcon
    • Sale House Man #3
    Brenda Wehle
    Brenda Wehle
    • Sale House Women #4
    Lisa Cloud
    Lisa Cloud
    • Sale House Women #4
    • Director
      • Sam Mendes
    • Writer
      • Alan Ball
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Oscars Best Picture Winners, Ranked

    Oscars Best Picture Winners, Ranked

    See the complete list of Oscars Best Picture winners, ranked by IMDb ratings.
    See the complete list
    Poster
    List

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Sam Mendes designed the two girls' look to change over the course of the film, with Thora Birch gradually using less makeup and Mena Suvari gradually using more, to emphasize his view of their shifting perceptions of themselves.
    • Goofs
      When Jane and Angela are outside talking to Ricky at school, Angela's cigarette keeps growing and shrinking throughout the conversation.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Lester Burnham: [narrating] I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all, it stretches on forever, like an ocean of time... For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout camp, watching falling stars... And yellow leaves, from the maple trees, that lined our street... Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper... And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand new Firebird... And Janie... And Janie... And... Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday.

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits gives thanks to the Donmar Warehouse in London and Dr. Bill and Alice. This is a reference by Sam Mendes to the characters played by Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Mendes directed Kidman in The Blue Room, which is a play performed at the Donmar Warehouse.
    • Alternate versions
      Some TV versions deleted most language and explicit content to maintain a clean TV-14 rating.
    • Connections
      Edited into Sex at 24 Frames Per Second (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Because
      Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

      Performed by Elliott Smith

      Elliott Smith appears courtesy of DreamWorks Records

    User reviews3.1K

    Featured review
    10/10

    a very well done film that continues to amaze me...

    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.
    • reesew18
    • Jul 6, 2001
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is American Beauty?Powered by Alexa
    • What is American Beauty About?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Belleza americana
    • Filming locations
      • Sacramento, California, USA(aerial shots)
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Jinks/Cohen Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $130,096,601
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $861,531
      • Sep 19, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $356,296,601
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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