American Beauty is the story of one "average" family that turns out to be not so average upon closer inspection. Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is an average family man, who decides one day to make some changes in his boring, uneventful life. These changes on the surface could easily fall under the category of "midlife-crisis," but when delved into deeper they are really a form of "rebirth," almost an awakening. His wife (Bening) ignores him, his daughter (Birch) resents him and the lack of respect from his colleagues makes his home life seem bearable. Basically his life is like every other married man...until he meets his daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). She brings something into his life that had been nonexistent...vitality. This new found vitality seems to bring on even more animosity from his family...or maybe just jealousy.
These few scenarios are just the beginning of an extremely lurid character study of a family and their environment. The film works so well because of one basic fact...the characters are real. These characters are just people, all have problems, each with anguish and still they all contain something that is interesting and likable.
This beautifully made feature film is the debut of British director Sam Mendes. Its ensemble cast is first rate and all involved deserved every award both nominated and won.
Director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball both obviously know the one thing that most filmmakers do not...characters matter. You get to know each character and whenever you learn something new you feel better for the character. This film is full of great performances, not the least of which is Kevin Spacey;s. Do not overlook American Beauty because of the basic storyline and seemingly dull plot. It is a great film and will definitely be regarded as one of the best films of the new Millenium...right next to Fight Club.
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Production Year: 1998 - Drama - Director: Carl Franklyn, Carl Franklin - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Meryl Streep, William Hurt, Renee Zellweger, Tom Everett Scott, Nicky Katt, Lauren Graham
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street,American Beautymoves with ... more
a mesmerising confidence and acuity epitomised by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Look closer at the most talked about film of the year. A funny, moving and shocking ... more
journey through life in suburban America.Look closer at fortysomething ad man Lester Burnham and his status-seeking wife, Carolyn, as their marriage and lives slowly un...
From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street,American Beautymoves with ... more
a mesmerising confidence and acuity epitomised by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Marking the feature film directorial debut of award-winning theatre director Sam Mendes ... more
this funny moving and shocking journey through life in suburban America follows the trials and tribulations of Lester (Kevin Spacey) and Carolyn (Annette Bening) ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![American Beauty [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78526734.jpg "American Beauty [DVD] [2000]")
Feb 9th, 2001
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