American Beauty (1999)
Sam Mendes' Oscar-winning portrait of suburban disillusionment, starring Kevin Spacey in a career-defining performance as a man reclaiming his life.
American Beauty - Movie Information
- Original Title: American Beauty
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Sam Mendes
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 2m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 1, 1999 (United States - R), February 4, 2000 (United Kingdom - 18), January 20, 2000 (Germany - 16), February 2, 2000 (France - TP), February 17, 2000 (New Zealand), January 26, 2000 (Australia - MA 15+), February 25, 2000 (Brazil - 18), February 25, 2000 (Mexico - C), January 21, 2000 (Italy - VM14), January 28, 2000 (Spain - 18), February 26, 2000 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Amerikanski prelesti (BG), 美国心玫瑰情 (CN), Postamerikanskiy ornament (RU), amerikanikí omorfiá (GR), Amerikan Gözəli (AZ), Belleza americana (MX), Krasa po-amerykansʹky (UA), Belleza americana (ES)
- Production Companies: DreamWorks Pictures, Jinks/Cohen Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
American Beauty - Plot
Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend.
American Beauty - Trailer
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American Beauty - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sam Mendes
Main Cast
- Kevin Spacey
- Annette Bening
- Thora Birch
- Wes Bentley
- Mena Suvari
- Peter Gallagher
- Allison Janney
- Chris Cooper
- Scott Bakula
- Sam Robards
Writers
- Alan Ball
Producers
- Dan Jinks
- Bruce Cohen
American Beauty - FAQs
Where can you stream American Beauty online?
American Beauty is available to stream on Paramount Plus (including Paramount Plus Essential and Premium tiers) and fuboTV. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for up-to-date availability in your region.
What does the ending of American Beauty mean?
The ending reveals Lester Burnham's death as a moment of unexpected peace and clarity. His closing voiceover suggests he has found gratitude for life's beauty despite its brevity. The film frames his murder not as tragedy but as a culmination of his spiritual awakening, underscoring its themes of hidden meaning beneath suburban emptiness.
Did American Beauty win any major awards?
American Beauty won five Academy Awards at the 2000 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sam Mendes, Best Actor for Kevin Spacey, Best Original Screenplay for Alan Ball, and Best Cinematography for Conrad Hall. It was one of the most decorated films of its year and a defining work of late-1990s cinema.
Who are the main actors in American Beauty?
American Beauty stars Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham and Annette Bening as his wife Carolyn. The supporting cast includes Thora Birch as their daughter Jane, Wes Bentley as neighbor Ricky Fitts, Mena Suvari as Angela Hayes, Chris Cooper as Colonel Fitts, and Allison Janney as Barbara Fitts.
Is American Beauty based on a true story?
American Beauty is not based on a true story. It is an original screenplay written by Alan Ball, who drew on observations of suburban American culture, personal experiences, and dark satirical impulses. The film is entirely fictional, though its themes of midlife disillusionment and dysfunctional family life resonate with many real-life experiences.
What is American Beauty about?
American Beauty follows Lester Burnham, a disillusioned suburban father who undergoes a radical personal transformation after becoming infatuated with his teenage daughter's friend. The film is a darkly comic satire of American suburban life, exploring repression, desire, identity, and the search for authentic meaning beneath a veneer of middle-class conformity.
What is the age rating for American Beauty?
American Beauty is rated R in the United States, meaning viewers under 17 require accompanying parental guidance. The film contains strong language, sexual content, drug use, and mature thematic material. International ratings vary: it received an 18 certificate in the UK and Spain, a 16 rating in Germany, and an MA 15+ classification in Australia.
How long is American Beauty?
American Beauty has a runtime of 122 minutes, approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes. Directed by Sam Mendes and released in 1999, the film maintains a deliberate, measured pace that allows its suburban drama and dark comedy to unfold with careful psychological depth throughout its running time.
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