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American Beauty (1999)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
1 October 1999 (USA) moreTagline:
... look closerPlot:
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 synopsisAwards:
Won 5 Oscars. Another 83 wins & 74 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(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 American Masterpiece moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Kevin Spacey | ... | Lester Burnham | |
| Annette Bening | ... | Carolyn Burnham | |
| Thora Birch | ... | Jane Burnham | |
| Wes Bentley | ... | Ricky Fitts | |
| Mena Suvari | ... | Angela Hayes | |
| Chris Cooper | ... | Col. Frank Fitts, USMC | |
| Peter Gallagher | ... | Buddy Kane | |
| Allison Janney | ... | Barbara Fitts | |
| Scott Bakula | ... | Jim Olmeyer | |
| Sam Robards | ... | Jim Berkley | |
| Barry Del Sherman | ... | Brad Dupree | |
| Ara Celi | ... | Sale House Woman #1 | |
| John Cho | ... | Sale House Man #1 | |
| Fort Atkinson | ... | Sale House Man #2 | |
| Sue Casey | ... | Sale House Woman #2 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexuality, language, violence and drug content.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
122 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColour:
ColourAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreCertification:
Colombia:18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Mexico:C | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:18A (Alberta) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | France:-12 | Denmark:15 | Brazil:18 | Netherlands:12 (re-rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-14 | Germany:12 (bw) (original rating) | Germany:16 (bw) (re-rating) | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | India:A | Ireland:18 | Israel:PG | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-18 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Poland:15 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #36807) | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:R(A) | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Lester Burnham, a middle-aged man who develops an infatuation with an adolescent girl, is an update of Humbert Humbert from the classic novel "Lolita". "Lester Burnham" is an anagram for "Humbert learns". moreGoofs:
Miscellaneous: In the up-close shot of Carolyn scrubbing the counter of the "For Sale" house, you can see the refrigerator, wall outlet and counter layout set a specific way. Later when she shows the house to perspective buyers, everything has switched spots signifying that the negatives in the former scene were flipped. moreQuotes:
[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
Soundtrack:
All Along The Watchtower moreFAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersHow much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
How old was Jane supposed to be?
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This is by far one of the best, if not THE, movies of the 90's. "American Beauty" stole my vote immediately as I started watching it. The idea and concept of "American Beauty" is just some ordinary people on an ordinary block with ordinary lives.
Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnam, a middle aged married man who has lost some hope in life. He has a job that is degrading, a wife who refuses to show any type of loving emotion towards him, a daughter who practically hates herself, and is judged constantly as a looser. But all of a sudden, he sees his daughter's friend, Angela, and something snaps in him to do something with his life. He quits his job and takes, the dreaded by most Americans, a fast food cook job. He starts working out and doing some illegal substances. Even though this sounds like he is ruining his life, it actually helps him and makes him realize how much he loves "the precious moments in his stupid little life." You have no idea what he is talking about I'm sure, but don't worry, you will some day. Kevin Spacey was by far the best actor in 1999 and deserved this Oscar 100%.
Annete Benning plays Carol Burnam, Lester's wife. She is a very fake and unsuccessful real estate agent who cannot get a sale. Her image in life is "in order to be successful, one most project an image of success at all times". You can tell, she is not happy with her marriage and starts to have an affair with the big boss of the real estate company. Again, seems horrible, but it helps her in the end. Annete was unfortunately robbed of an Oscar for this film.
The supporting cast: Thora Birtch who plays Janie, Lester and Carol's daughter, is extremely depressed and hates her body and herself. But when she notices a strange boy next door and develops a relationship with him, she realizes how precious life is and starts communicating with her family. Mena Suvari plays Angela, Janie's best friend, Lester's crush, and a girl who is clearly insecure despite her attempts at showing her sexy side to every guy in town. Wes Bentley plays Ricky, the next door neighbor boy who looks at something as simple as a bag being tossed in the wind as something beautiful. Some say that this was a very stupid scene, but I disagree. His dialog was perfect and made us look twice at something so simple. He won most of our hearts despite having somewhat of an arrogant attitude. Wes without a doubt got robbed of a nomination for this movie. Chris Cooper plays Ricky's father, Col. Frank Fits. He is a military Sergent who is very abusive to his wife and son and is an obvious homophobic that turns into an ironic situation in the end. Chris also should've been nominated.
The most stunning character actually to me was Allison Janney who played Barbara Fits, Ricky's mom, and Frank's wife. She was so beautiful and perfect. Her scene in the front room with Frank and Ricky, everything is so quite, and she says "I'm sorry, what?". Ricky says "Mom, no one said anything". When Ricky gets kicked out by Frank after a horrible accusation, Ricky says "Mom, I'm leaving". Instead of being like the average mom and trying to stop him or say things will get better, she knows this is best and says "OK. Wear a raincoat". Allison was just amazing and didn't get enough credit for her role.
If there could have been nominations for every role in this movie, they were well deserved. This is a terrific movie that should be watched by every adult. It'll make you look again at your life and think. What a great movie.
10/10