American Beauty (DVD)

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Production Year: 1999 - Drama - Director: Sam Mendes - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Wes Bentley, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Alison Janney, Peter Gallagher, Chris Cooper, Scott Bakula, Sam Roberts more

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AMERICAN BEAUTY tells the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a suburban father who snaps when he becomes disgusted with his stale, repetitive existence. Burnham lets us know...
more...in voice-over from the film's opening that this is the day he dies (using the SUNSET BOULEVARD flashback approach), a technique that adds an inevitable tension to the proceedings and keeps the story moving forward at all times. On a whim, Lester quits his job and begins a regression into young adulthood, lifting weights, smoking pot, doing nothing, and discovering the overflowing sexuality of his 16-year-old daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). His wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening), has her own midlife crisis of sorts. A real estate agent, she experiences a youthful awakening when super-agent Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher) seduces her repeatedly. Meanwhile, Jane (Thora Birch), the Burnhams' daughter, is pursued by Ricky (Wes Bentley), the mysterious boy next door who carries a video camera around with him at all times. When Ricky's militaristic father, Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper), discovers something potentially horrifying on one of his tapes, and when Carolyn's rage for Lester's actions boils over, the time bomb finally explodes.





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106-120 of 127 reviews of American Beauty (DVD)   sort by: Usefulness | Product rating | Date
what a cracker
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by lematt

Advantages: funny and origanal
Disadvantages: none

oh my god what a debut film and from a british director to. Sam Mendez has done himself and the british isles proud. this origanal funny and overal outstanding film is one of the most refreshing i have seen for a while. Kevin spacey plays a man who has a perfectly 'normal' and 'happy' life with a good job and a nice family but he doesnt want that, he wants to be young again. he goes trough lots of funny things i dont wanna spoil the film and tell ... Read review

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02.03.2001
American classic?
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by Andy

Advantages: Excellant Script
Disadvantages: None

...an impact on me as American Beauty, Sam Mendes' directorial debut. Simply put, it is the best movie I have ever seen. The movie begins with a narration by Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), who tells us about the emptiness in his life and that in less than a year he will be dead. "Of course," he notes tragically, "in a way, I'm dead already." We meet his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening), a frigid woman whose only apparent concerns are for material possessions ... Read review

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25.06.2000
American Beauty-Oscar's worst nominee ever
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by aadnan613

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Long list! The story is the main weakness

This is the most undeserving oscar nominated film that i have ever come accross! I dont see any reason for the film to be rated so highly all over.The plot is downright cheap and the execution is no better!Avoid this film if you don't want to fume with anger after watching a film! I dont remember seeing such a stupid film ever,i had my expectations,reading my 5oscar nominations,or was it 5 wins?It was one forgettable experiences and i dont even remember ... Read review

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27.06.2009
(28.06.2009)
Beautiful
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by Loopy27

Advantages: wonderfully acted, directed
Disadvantages: none

...going to see the typical American lovely suburbia, oh no I have lots of money and I'm very depressed and have an alcoholic problem, but I'm really a very nice person type of movie. (if you know what I mean). What I got was a movie with depth, and Kevin Spacey too! The tag line says it all 'look closer'. A movie with a message, but not too 'gaggy' sincere. Thora Birch is great, and Kevin Spacey, well he is one of the best actors there is! I am ... Read review

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19.02.2001
You have won a Beauty Competition !
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by Truman

Advantages: Original story
Disadvantages: none

...right at the start of American Beauty that he will be dead soon so it should not be a surprise the he dies at the end of this excellent Academy award winning film.He falls in lust with the best friend of his daughter and subject of the title.Spacey is bored with his life and decides to start rebelling much to the annoyance of his wife (Annette Benning).This is one of those very rare films it has a very good story,script,actors and is expertly directed ... Read review

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16.08.2000
A touch of beauty
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by darrenhogan

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

This movie is utterly brilliant. It starts amongst the mess of a 'middle aged' man. he is totally unhappy with his life. the highlight of his day is jer*ing off in the shower every day before work. Then his daughter is cheerleading and he see's the girl of his dreams. His daughter's best friend 'the typical blonde cheerleader'. From this point he tries to re-live his younger years and starts to go jogging in the neighbourhood, working out and even ... Read review

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05.07.2000
My favourite film. Ever.
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by clloydjones

Advantages: Excellent directing debut from Sam Mendes, brilliant acting and compelling storyline.
Disadvantages: The word disadvantage does not apply to American Beauty.

This film, to borrow the words from its title, is beautiful. I love this film, so much in fact that I have bought the video from America where it is still only available for rental! It is my theory that everyone who sees it can identify with something in the film and for this reason that it has a special meaning for everybody. Granted, the story is not a normal everyday occurrence and contrary to popular belief, it is not the actual story line that ... Read review

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03.07.2000
believe it and learn
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by westham

Advantages: a brilliant piece of film making
Disadvantages: nothing at all

...right for me to purchase American Beauty on region 1 DVD at the end of last year. I have to admit that i was pleasently suprised by what i saw, well more than that, it was brilliant, absolutely superb. It is based around a typical american family that go on a rollercoaster ride of doing drugs, having affairs, mid-life crisis, fantasys about younger women from a dirty old man, and of course theres a bit of homosexuality in there as well. All ... Read review

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02.02.2001
A Beauty Is Born
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by jintyjoonyjengajoe

Advantages: A superb film
Disadvantages: not many

American Beauty represents a new standard in film-making. It has as much to do with pure philosophy as it does with characterisation, symbolism and development of plot. Though we have seen this mildly with other recent films such as Fight Club and The Thin Red Line, American Beauty is the first to offer us a complete philosophy on the nature of life. This alone sounds very strong, yet it is accompanied by other unrivaled traits. You are unlikely ... Read review

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10.06.2001
Well worth a watch
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by tomwebbz

Advantages: Well acted, Reasonably easy to follow, Intelligent
Disadvantages: Artsy

...against the backdrop of modern American suburbia. The film was the screen debut for writer Alan Ball and director Sam Mendes and starred Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening; all four were nominated for Oscars. In 2000 it won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture." This is one of my favorite films. Kevin Spacey is superb, probably his best performance to date, and there are all-round great performances from the supporting cast. There are tons ... Read review

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23.03.2007
(24.03.2007)
incredible
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by butterfly_noir

Advantages: fantastic film!
Disadvantages: made me cry :(

i LOVED this film!! although the storyline is quite disturbing (a man perving on his daughters 'friend') the characters are deep and interesting, and the performances are amazing. it manages to allow the audience to understand the characters, even the ones you would expect to loathe (including the pervy dad!). it definitely deserves all the critical acclaim and awards it has won. i always judge films on how long i'm thinking about them afterwards, ... Read review

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23.01.2007
strange and thought provoking
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by Tracy57

Advantages: thought provoking, funny,sickeningly true
Disadvantages: sad ending

American Beauty, a strange and thought provoking film. Nothing like I thought it would be a simple story of a father who falls for his daughters friend. the film is over two hours long but not for one second were my eyes and mind riveted to the screen. extremely funny in places, with many scenes making you sqirm at the bizarre truthful embrassing content There were no big names in the film but the acting was good. the ending was sad, and could have ... Read review

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11.07.2000
American Beauty - truly beautiful
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by gilby

Advantages: Incredibly moving
Disadvantages: none

American Beauty is truly a don't-miss movie. It will definitely make you think. Kevin Spacey does an incredible acting job, as do Annette Bening and, basically everyone else who was in the movie. I felt that this movie was a pretty realistic portrayal of just how wacky "mainstream America" can be.. it also raises the question of whether trying to be a part of that life is even worth it. I think that everyone will find something ... Read review

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16.02.2001
American Bummer more like
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by FarQRecords

Advantages: Kevin Spacey
Disadvantages: The movie itself

I had heard that this was a film I really should not miss. So I took everyone’s advice and went to see it and was utterly disappointed. Yeah Kevin Spacey is good in it, but then we already knew he was a great actor, you only have to watch the cleverness of the Usual Suspects to know that. But I really felt let down by this movie, the story was not as good as everyone says and the film was just dull in my opinion. If it wasn’t for Kevin Spacey this ... Read review

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30.08.2000
You Beauty!
Review of American Beauty (DVD) by MikeWoods

Advantages: multi layered
Disadvantages: nothing really!

American beauty has so much to it, it really needs to be soon and not just read about. It's hard to stick it in one genre but I suppose drama would just about fit it. It tells the story of Lester Burbank, a small town american father whose going through a midlife crisis. The film is really about the Burbank family and how Lester's problems impact the rest of the family from his unhappy daughter to his adulteress wife. There are so many layers it's ... Read review

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13.09.2000
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American Beauty [DVD] [2000] American Beauty [DVD] [2000]
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...
£ 3.87 amazon dvd

Postage & Packaging£1.21
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American Beauty [DVD] [2000] American Beauty [DVD] [2000]
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...
£ 4.98 amazon marketplace dvd

Postage & PackagingFree!
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American Beauty DVD American Beauty DVD
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) ...
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