American Beauty (1999)

Theatrical Release Information  |  See Details About All Versions

Noted theater director Sam Mendes, who was responsible for the acclaimed 1998 revival of Cabaret and Nicole Kidman's turn in The Blue Room, made his motion picture debut with this film about the dark side of an American family, and about the nature and price of beauty in a culture obsessed with outward appearances. Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham, a man in his mid-40s going through an intense midlife crisis; he's grown cynical and is convinced that he has no reason to go on. Lester's relationship with his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) is not a warm one; while on the surface Carolyn strives to present the image that she's in full control of her life, inside she feels empty and desperate. Their teenage daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is constantly depressed, lacking in self-esteem, and convinced that she's unattractive. Her problems aren't helped by her best friend Angela (Mena Suvari), an aspiring model who is quite beautiful and believes that that alone makes her a worthwhile person. Jane isn't the only one who has noticed that Angela is attractive: Lester has fallen into uncontrollable lust for her, and she becomes part of his drastic plan to change his body and change his life. Meanwhile, next door, Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper) has spent a lifetime in the Marine Corps and can understand and tolerate no other way of life, which makes life difficult for his son Ricky (Wes Bentley), an aspiring filmmaker and part-time drug dealer who is obsessed with beauty, wherever and whatever it may be. American Beauty was also the screen debut for screenwriter Alan Ball. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Warning: This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

122 mins

Complete Cast:

Director(s):

Sam Mendes

Writer(s):

Alan Ball

Producer(s):

Dan Jinks, Stan Wlodkowski, Alan Ball

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Nudity, Profanity, Violence, Drug Content, Not For Children, Sexual Situations, Adult Humor)

Closed Captioning:

Check All Versions

Subtitles:

Check All Versions

• 1999 - American Beauty - American Society of Cinematographers - Best Cinematography
• 1999 - American Beauty - American Society of Cinematographers - Outstanding Achievement Award
• 1999 - American Beauty - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Picture
• 1999 - American Beauty - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Cinematography
• 1999 - American Beauty - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Editing
• 1999 - American Beauty - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Film Music
• 1999 - American Beauty - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Editing
• 1999 - American Beauty - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actress
• 1999 - American Beauty - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
• 1999 - American Beauty - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Director
• 1999 - American Beauty - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Original Screenplay
• 1999 - American Beauty - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Picture
• 1999 - American Beauty - Chicago Film Critics Association - Most Promising Actor
• 1999 - American Beauty - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Director
• 1999 - American Beauty - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Actor
• 1999 - American Beauty - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Picture
• 1999 - American Beauty - Directors Guild of America - Best Director - Feature Film
• 1999 - American Beauty - Golden Globe - Best Picture - Drama
• 1999 - American Beauty - Golden Globe - Best Director
• 1999 - American Beauty - Golden Globe - Best Screenplay
• 1999 - American Beauty - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Director
• 1999 - American Beauty - National Board of Review - Best Picture
• 1999 - American Beauty - National Board of Review - Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor
• 1999 - American Beauty - National Society of Film Critics - Best Cinematography
• 1999 - American Beauty - Screen Actors Guild - Best Performance by a Cast
• 1999 - American Beauty - Screen Actors Guild - Best Female Actor in a Leading Role
• 1999 - American Beauty - Screen Actors Guild - Best Actor
• 1999 - American Beauty - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Actor
• 1999 - American Beauty - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Director [Runner-up]
• 1999 - American Beauty - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay [Runner-up]
• 1999 - American Beauty - Writers Guild of America - Best Original Screenplay