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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.

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Sam Mendes
Writer (WGA):
Alan Ball (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for American Beauty on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 October 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
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:
(344 articles)
Why HBO's 'True Blood' Bites
 (From CinemaSpy. 1 July 2009, 9:15 PM, PDT)

my week at the movies: ‘Shrink,’ ‘In the Loop’
 (From FlickFilosopher. 29 June 2009, 11:57 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
An Oscar well deserved. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Belleza americana (Argentina) (Mexico) (Peru) (Uruguay) (Venezuela) [es]
American Beauty (Austria) (Germany) [de]
Красота по-американски (Russia) [ru]
American Beauty (Greece) [el]
American Beauty (Denmark) [da]
American Beauty (Portugal) [pt]
American Beauty (Italy) [it]
American Beauty (Finland) [fi]
American Beauty (Spain) [es]
American Beauty (France) [fr]
American Beauty (Norway) [no]
Americká krása (Slovakia) [sk]
Americká krása (Czech Republic) [cs]
Americka lepota (Serbia) [sr]
Amerikai szépség (Hungary) [hu]
Amerikan güzeli (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Beauté américaine (Canada: French title) [fr]
Beleza Americana (Brazil) [pt]
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexuality, language, violence and drug content.
Runtime:
122 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Company:
DreamWorks SKG more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The high school campus scenes, including the Spartanette dance sequence in the gymnasium, were shot at South High School in Torrance, California. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Carolyn is wearing her gardening gloves in the garage as she lectures Lester about smoking and "setting a good example for our daughter." When she warns him that "you will not get away with this," she is not wearing them. 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:
References Eyes Wide Shut (1999) more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
How old was Jane supposed to be?
more
229 out of 274 people found the following comment useful:-
An Oscar well deserved., 29 May 2000
10/10
Author: PlainIce from Ontario, Canada

This film is one of a kind. After seeing this film last week, I was left with a hole in the pit of my stomach. It left many questions in my mind, and most of them cannot be answered. In my view, a film that makes me think after I watch it is second-to-none, and this film certainly delivers in that aspect.

I was amazed with the vivid imagery in this movie, as well as with the symbolism. However, what makes this film the best of 1999 is the acting. Kevin Spacey shines as Lester Burnham, and Annette Bening (Carolyn Burnham) isn't far behind. Supporting cast members such as Wes Bentley (Ricky Fitts), Thora Birch (Jane Burnham), Mena Suvari (Angela Hayes), and Chris Cooper (Col. Frank Fitts) only add to the drama of this film. I think the most special aspect of this film is how all of the characters intertwine in a way that is believable, yet fantastic at the same time. I congratulate Sam Mendes for his direction of this film, as well as Alan Ball for writing it. I don't think it could have been any better.

Rated R in the U.S. for strong sexuality, language, drug content, and violence, the film obviously deserves its rating. However, none of the causes for the R rating are overbearing, and all of them add to the plot-line of this film. While I don't think that this is a film for children, I would suggest that adults should view it with an open mind. I believe that the traits which many of the characters in this film have are found in many people around the world. Perhaps that is why this film hits close to home for so many viewers.

While billed by some as a "comedy-drama", I don't see anything about this film as funny. Sure, there are some comedic moments, but by the end, those moments were all but forgotten when faced with the grim reality of the conclusion of the events portrayed in this film.

If you want to watch a light-hearted film with some elements of comedy and some elements of drama, don't see American Beauty. But if you enjoy films that make you think, and are entertained by an excellent cast, excellent directing, and an excellent screenplay, this film should be at the top of your list.

My Rating: 10/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for American Beauty (1999)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Question about the end [Spoilers] kompiuter
question about ending being revealed in first scene cmar92
Was Carolyn planning to kill Lester? FrankieJG
So Alan Ball hasnīt done nothing for this film... meteo87
Top 10 Movies of Your Loneliness Moments ColdenScence
Of COURSE it's not subtle! dsc1215
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