A five-time Academy Award winner -- American Beauty is compelling with Kevin Spacey in the lead!
What an incredible movie American Beauty is! It is jam-packed with a lot going on ... just how I like my movies! In 2000 it won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Amazingly acted by Kevin Spacey [one of my favorite actors], this drama explores themes of romantic and paternal love, freedom, sexuality, beauty, self-liberation, existentialism, the search for happiness, and family against the backdrop of modern American suburbia.
Why we love American Beauty
As I eluded to previously, I love this movie for all the themes that are jam-packed into this slice-of-life movie! On top of that, it features one of my favorite actors of all-time, the incomparable Kevin Spacey!
American Beauty (Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 12/25/2009)![]()
It's another stellar performance by the ever-talented Kevin Spacey!
Wonderful reviews for American Beauty
It is a wonderful psychological drama, a satire about the American community and about the American life; dark, painful irony and cynicism in the descriptions of life and characters; deep sarcasm on types of people in the community, habits of behaviour such as "...if you want to succeed, you always have to seem successful..." or "never stop smiling", parasites of the community, and, most importantly, the treatment of people who are "different", who are "freaky" to some extent; and eventually, there is no character in the film that is not odd in its way, although we have to wait for the very ending of the film, to discover this.
With very deep and accurate exaggeration, (most of) the characters in the movie demonstrate the worst, the darkest sides of their personality, while still remaining very human, very touching and very involving the observer. Everyone can find a certain similarity with characters and persons who he met in his life, in the characters described in the film. The tragi-comical events, the little pieces of funny, disturbing irony dripping from almost every episode, lead the observer to exploration of the American Beauty -- the beauty in life, and the way that we fail to find it, for all our life; the way we hide our feelings and emotions, even behind sullen walls of our sepulchre.
The acting is truly brilliant, the episodes are built logically, coherently, the dialogues are deep, thrilling, intriguing; every sentence and every word is deeply constructed, containing profound irony and intelligent elements of humors. The plot is very intelligently built, constructing a true indication of the sad situation of the American society, and an excellent ground for the actors.

The American Beauty Movie Poster is very cool
Go ahead, disagree if you dare!
American Beauty is the best movie ever.
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byAmerican Beauty IS the best.
MarcoG says:
I love the artistry in this film - the simple little things, like the floating carrier bag. Plus Kevin Spacey is a LEGEND! x
Posted October 30, 2008
Wrong! It's the worst!
Best American Beauty Quotes: Sound off
Vote for your favorites, or add a new one.
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Lester Burnham: I want to look good naked!
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Lester Burnham: Smile! You're at Mr. Smiley's.
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Lester Burnham: I feel like I've been in a coma for the past twenty years. And I'm just now waking up.
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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.
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Angela Hayes: I was hoping you'd give me a bath. I'm very, very dirty.
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Best Scene Ever
Post yours here.
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The ending!!!
The movie ends with Lester's description of his li more...0 points
Cut: The Final Scene
The scoop on American Beauty
American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film, directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. The film stars Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham, a middle-aged office worker who has a midlife crisis and becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend. Co-stars Annette Bening and Thora Birch play Lester's wife and daughter, respectively; Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley and Chris Cooper also feature. A satire of American middle class notions of beauty and personal satisfaction, the film explores materialism, conformity, sexuality and redemption. In 1998, DreamWorks acquired Ball's script for $250,000 after outbidding several other production entities. The studio financed the $15 million production and served as the North American distributor. Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen produced. American Beauty marked acclaimed theater director Mendes' film directorial debut; Mendes joined the production after 20 other directors were considered and several A-listers turned down the opportunity. It was also Ball's first produced film screenplay, after spending several years writing for television. As well as his professional frustrations, Ball cited the media circus around the Amy Fisher trial in 1992 as an influence on the story's genesis. An experienced playwright, Ball initially intended the story for the stage before recasting it for the screen.
Spacey was Mendes' first choice for the role of Lester, though DreamWorks had urged the director to consider better-known actors; similarly, the studio suggested several actors for the role of Carolyn?Lester's wife?until Mendes cast Bening without DreamWorks' knowledge. Principal photography took place between December 1998 and February 1999 on soundstages at the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank, California and on location in Los Angeles. The film underwent several changes during editing that affected its tone and eliminated expository bookend scenes. American Beauty was positively received by critics and audiences alike; it was the best-reviewed American film of 1999 and grossed over $350 million worldwide. It won the 1999 Academy Award for Best Picture, and was nominated for and won numerous other awards and honors, mainly for the direction, writing, and acting.
American Beauty Stats
Who would win in a fight?
The scoop on Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and crooner. He grew up in California, and began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, before being cast in supporting roles in film and television. He gained critical acclaim in the early 1990s, culminating in his first Academy Award for The Usual Suspects (Best Supporting Actor), followed by a Best Actor Academy Award win for American Beauty (1999). His other starring roles in Hollywood include Seven, L.A. Confidential, Pay It Forward, and Superman Returns in a career which has eventually earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Since 2003, he has been artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London.
Some cool lenses on Kevin Spacey
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Kevin Spacey -- Multi-talented Performer
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Well, you might think that's a bit of a strange question, but I adore Kevin Spacey, as I've "gotten" to know him, from his many cool movies and interviews. Maybe it's his suave and debonair manner? Maybe it's his subtle sense of...
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Kevin Spacey Video Showcase
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Welcome to my comprehensive Kevin Spacey Video Showcase. I'm a huge fan of Kevin Spacey and have put a lot of LOVE into this lens to showcase his many talents and introduce you -- just in case you're not familiar with the wealth of his work! T...
Other Kevin Spacey sites worth visiting
Is yours here?
Do you know a good site dedicated to all things Kevin Spacey? Post it here and share the love.
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The Biography Channel - Quick Quiz - Kevin Spacey Quiz
Find out more about Quick Quiz - Kevin Spacey Quiz more...0 points
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Kevin Spacey Photos | Videos | News | At Pictures.com
Pictures, videos, and news for Kevin Spacey. ... F more...0 points
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Kevin Spacey - Pictures, News, Video Clips, Layouts, Wallpapers ...
Kevin Spacey Actor Profile - Fan Club, Pictures &a more...0 points
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Kevin Spacey, a multi-faceted and multi-talented actor & performer
Well, you might think that's a bit of a strange qu more...0 points
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Kevin Spacey Video Showcase
Welcome to the Kevin Spacey Video Showcase. I'm a more...0 points
The scoop on Annette Bening
Annette Francine Bening (born May 29, 1958) is an American actress. Her break-through role in The Grifters was followed with critically acclaimed roles in films such as Bugsy and American Beauty. In 1992 she married American actor and director Warren Beatty, with whom she has four children.
The buzz on Annette Bening
- Katie Holmes Joins Lesbian Moms Annette Bening and Julianne Moore ...
- If you thought the original Sundance 2010 program announcement was just a tad lacking in star power...
- David Arquette, Mireille Enos, et al. to Join Annette Bening in ...
- Theater News: David Arquette, Mireille Enos, et al. to Join Annette Bening in The Female of the Spec...
- All I want for Christmas is Annette Bening
- Well last night I saw the film Being Julia (2004) which stars Annette Bening. You'll know all about...
- American Beauty - Annette Bening - Jezebel
- Annette Bening Parses The Day's Presidential Polls · Ultimate Chick Flick The Women Is Finally Abou...
Drop me a line ...
Are you a fan of this movie and/or Kevin Spacey? Raves, rants, comments are welcome!
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Reply
- AndyPo AndyPo Dec 7, 2009 @ 8:42 am
- Yes. This is a great movie
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Reply
- MarcoG MarcoG Oct 30, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
- I absolutely love this movie...and I albsolutely love this lens too xxx
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Reply
- JohannTheDog JohannTheDog Oct 2, 2008 @ 5:03 pm
- One of Mum's favorite movies! Love Kevin Spacey! Woofs, Johann
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