American Beauty

Name: American Beauty
Genre: Drama
Released: September 15, 1999
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 86
Cast: Annette Bening, Kevin Spacey

1999

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 33 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 939 Ratings

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9.0

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9.0	User Score Universal acclaim based on 939 Ratings

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AMERICAN BEAUTY

Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: September 15, 1999

Starring: Annette Bening, Kevin Spacey

Summary: Provoked by forbidden passions, Lester Burnham (Spacey) decides to make a few changes in his rut of a life, changes that are less midlife crisis than adolescence reborn. The freer he gets, the happier he gets, which is even more maddening to his wife, Carolyn (Bening), and daughter Jane (Birch) --especially when he turns his lustful gazeProvoked by forbidden passions, Lester Burnham (Spacey) decides to make a few changes in his rut of a life, changes that are less midlife crisis than adolescence reborn. The freer he gets, the happier he gets, which is even more maddening to his wife, Carolyn (Bening), and daughter Jane (Birch) --especially when he turns his lustful gaze toward Jane's friend, the sultry Angela (Suvari). (Dreamworks SKG)… Expand

Director: Sam Mendes

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 122 min

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Awards & Rankings

9	#9 Best Movie of 1999
5	#5 Most Discussed Movie of 1999
14	#14 Most Shared Movie of 1999

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

New York Post - Rod Dreher

A flat-out masterpiece, surely the best movie of the year; indeed, an all-time classic.

100

Boston Globe - Jay Carr

Spacey is diamond-brilliant in a role that plays as if custom-made for him. Read full review

100

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

Spacey, an actor who embodies intelligence in his eyes and voice, is the right choice for Lester Burnham. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan

A blood-chilling dark comedy with unexpected moments of both fury and warmth, a strange, brooding and very accomplished film that sets us back on our heels from its opening frames. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Michael Wilmington

I've got to admit it's a stunner.

L.A. Weekly - Ella Taylor

Surprises you with a kind of hardheaded romanticism. Read full review

Newsweek - Ann-Rebecca Laschever

In the end, the film lacks the skill of its actors and ends up feeling disjointed and confused about its own message. Read full review

SEE ALL 33 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

SusanN.

Jul 27, 2008

A film I could watch over and over and never get tired of. A film to see before you die.

7 of 8 users found this helpful

ahmedaiman9999

Sep 25, 2018

Speechless!

I'm not kidding. I may not review this masterpiece because I really don't have anything to say about this flawless piece of art! But I'll see later, anyway.

God! That's why I hate perfect films.

(10/10)

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DandyPants

Apr 23, 2007

Superb movie. Although it probably wouldn't have received a 10 if Spacey wasn't playing the lead. Easily the most convincing and memorable character / performance ever. It's clear that many of the "reviewers" of this movie didn't understand the underlying themes. Superb movie. Although it probably wouldn't have received a 10 if Spacey wasn't playing the lead. Easily the most convincing and memorable character / performance ever. It's clear that many of the "reviewers" of this movie didn't understand the underlying themes. Although family is a part of the movie, it is not the central theme. The portrayal of family life is incidental, and is only part of the bigger picture. One reviewer said that the movie relied on "rote cliche" and as pointed out by another reviewer, this is deliberate. Ultimately the film is about the desire to be free and the consequences of this desire in American culture. A culture that supposedly is based on freedom. Lester wants to be free from his career and his dominant wife. Carolyn wants to be free from her own meticulous nature and self-doubt. Jayney wants to be free from her parents. Ricky wants to be free from his Dad's expectations. Frank wants to be free to express his homosexuality. Angela wants to be free to be herself but for whatever reason plays a role instead. Despite living in the land of the free, every character experiences great difficulty in being who they want to be and the consequences for their desires are great. [***SPOILER***]Lester is eventually killed, Carolyn's marriage is ruined and her lover ends the relationship. Ricky is estranged from his father. Frank murders to keep his secret and so on. It is clear that one has to find a balance between the desire to be free and the social responsibilites that we live by. The movie concludes that happiness and beauty is not in the grandiose religious, familial and economic pressures of 'ordinary' life, but is found in the daily appreciation of the little things we ignore as we try to 'succeed'. We all want to be free, but the way we live doesn't allow us to be.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

LukeDzk

Mar 23, 2018

American Beauty is one of the best movies ever. It is so surreal and makes you think about life. Kevin Spacey has the best performance of his life, and Annette Bening also does a superb job. There is nothing wrong with this movie. 10/10 Stars, a must-see movie!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Swati

Sep 21, 2013

Funny, engaging and exhilarating. Kevin Spacey breathes life into his character and the movie itself. He deserves the Oscar. The first half was more than satisfactory. The second one got a bit bogged down before making a comeback and taking me by surprise. One of those movies that everyoneFunny, engaging and exhilarating. Kevin Spacey breathes life into his character and the movie itself. He deserves the Oscar. The first half was more than satisfactory. The second one got a bit bogged down before making a comeback and taking me by surprise. One of those movies that everyone should give a chance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Trev29

Nov 30, 2013

A wonderfully unique and powerful film. The script is so sharp and the acting is nothing less than superb. It is enticing to watch and certainly leaves a lasting impression. A must see movie!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

chrisl

Jun 5, 2009

A really awful overblown and pompous film with very poor directing extremely awkward dialogue, and terrible acting. Kevin Spacey in particular was really tight and bland in his role.

1 of 7 users found this helpful

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