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American Beauty

  • 19991999
  • RR
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
1.1M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
380
21
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
  • Drama

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.

IMDb RATING
8.4/10
1.1M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
380
21
  • Director
    • Sam Mendes
  • Writer
    • Alan Ball
  • Stars
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Annette Bening
    • Thora Birch
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sam Mendes
  • Writer
    • Alan Ball
  • Stars
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Annette Bening
    • Thora Birch
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3KUser reviews
    • 212Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #67
    • Won 5 Oscars
      • 111 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
    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

    Photos263

    Kevin Spacey and Mena Suvari in American Beauty (1999)
    Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening in American Beauty (1999)
    Kevin Spacey in American Beauty (1999)
    Kevin Spacey and Thora Birch in American Beauty (1999)
    Annette Bening in American Beauty (1999)
    Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, and Wes Bentley in American Beauty (1999)
    Kevin Spacey and Sam Mendes in American Beauty (1999)
    Thora Birch in American Beauty (1999)
    Lester and Carolyn in the car
    Carolyn scrubbing frantically
    Carolyn vacuuming
    In a bed of roses

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit
    After his death sometime in his 43rd year, suburbanite Lester Burnham tells of the last few weeks of his life, during which he had no idea of his imminent passing. He is a husband to real estate agent Carolyn Burnham and father to high school student Jane Burnham. Although Lester and Carolyn once loved each other, they now merely tolerate each other. Typical wallflower Jane also hates both her parents; the three suffer individually in silence in their home life. Jane tries to steer clear of both her parents. Carolyn, relatively new to the real estate business, wants to create the persona of success to further her career, aspiring to the professional life of Buddy Kane, the king of the real estate business in their neighborhood. Lester merely walks mindlessly through life, including at his job in advertising. His company is downsizing, and he, like all the other employees, has to justify his position to the newly hired efficiency expert to keep his job. Things change for Lester when he falls in love at first sight with Jane's more experienced classmate, Angela Hayes. Both Janie and Angela can see Lester's sexual infatuation with Angela, who courts such attention from any man as a sign that she is model material, she having once appeared in Seventeen and is a career to which she aspires. Lester's infatuation with Angela gives him a reenergized view on life, where he openly doesn't care anymore what anyone thinks about what he does, anyone except Angela. This infatuation coincides with the Fittses moving in next door: homophobic disciplinarian US Marine Colonel Frank Fitts who rules the house with a military fist (that fist being both figurative and literal), his semi-comatose wife Barbara Fitts, and their bright and quietly subversive 18-year-old son Ricky Fitts, who openly abides by his father's rules while behind the scenes lives by his own quite different perspective. Much like Lester's infatuation, Ricky immediately becomes infatuated with Jane; he considers girls like Angela as ordinary. The entry of Angela and the Fittses into the Burnhams' lives ultimately leads to each of the players confronting what is truly in his or her heart. —Huggo
    • midlife crisis
    • adulterous wife
    • cheating wife
    • unfaithful wife
    • loveless marriage
    • 383 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • ... look closer
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong sexuality, language, violence and drug content
    • Parents guide

    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
      In the dinner scene where Lester throws the bowl of asparagus against the wall, the picture frame has been centered between the windows over the console table, and the table lamp visible in an earlier scene has been removed. These changes are not down to continuity as such. The script originally called for Lester to throw the plate on the floor; however, it was decided that he throw it against the wall instead without the knowledge of Annette Bening or Thora Birch. It had to be done in one take (which it was) to get a real shock reaction. The lamp was removed to avoid any debris knocking it over, and the picture was repositioned in line with Lester's aim for a clean throw and to minimize any risk of Kevin Spacey knocking the picture off the wall, spoiling the 'one-take shot'.
    • 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
      thanks to all at the Donmar Warehouse in London and Dr. Bill and Alice
    • 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 reviews3K

    Review
    Top 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.
    helpful•173
    56
    • reesew18
    • Jul 7, 2001

    FAQ4

    • What is American Beauty About?
    • Who is Col. Frank Fitts?
    • Why did Jane go shirtless and shown her breasts to Ricky?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Vẻ Đẹp Mỹ
    • Filming locations
      • Sacramento, California, USA
    • 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

    Technical 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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