American Beauty
Winner Of Five Academy Awards
...look closer at the most talked about film of the year. Intelligent, provocative and wickedly funny, American Beauty has struck a chord with audiences around the world and become a defining achievement in cinematic history.
...look closer at the most honored film of the year. Winner of 5 Academy Awards, American Beauty appeared on over 275 Top 10 lists and was named Best Picture of the Year by over 65 critics. In an extraordinary directorial debut, Sam Mendes (Directors Guild of America Award) teamed with screenwriter Alan Ball (Writers Guild of America Award) to capture unparalleled praise among critics and audiences alike.
...look closer at the most acclaimed cast of the year led by brilliant performances from Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening as the indelible Lester and Carolyn Burnham, a seemingly ordinary couple in an anonymous suburban neighborhood whose marriage -- and lives -- are slowly unraveling. From beginning to startling end, American Beauty has been deemed a "flat-out masterpiece" (Rod Dreher, New York Post) that will entertain and challenge audiences to ...look closer for years to come.
Member Reviews
Love the Comsept - LilyandMick
This story was completely different from what I would remember and this is one of the movie that I would watch over and over again. Kevin Spacy's charactor made this whole movie more interesting, but weird in a good way. All the charactors were little mysterious and makes you think much fun with.A Very compelling film. The beauty in American culture is in its dysfunctionality. - moviemonger
American Beauty is narrated on Lester Burnham who is in a mid-life crisis, caused by his stressed wife Carolyn and rebelling teenage daughter Jane. When Lester and Carolyn go watch Jane cheerleading, they meet Angela Hayes, and Lester, caught in sudden lust for Angela, decides to change his life. Angela's and Jane's friendship is not all it seems, too, because Angela only brags about how many times she's done it with guys and stuff. That doesn't help an already insecure Jane very much but she finds solace in the arms of the next-door-neighbors' son, Ricky Fitts. Ricky, himself. Every character in the film is a rich and memorable one. The acting is superb and the casting choice is excellent. Spacey gives one of his best performances (which is saying a lot, given his career record!). The first time directing effort by Sam Mendes is superlative. The cinematography, particularly during the shifts that occur when we are given a glimpse through Lester's lenses and the sudden (and absurd) switch back to reality is well done. There is also a tremendous amount of symbolism.
American Beauty is an extremely funny yet disturbingly dark film. In a way, it reminded me of The Conformist, though the actual similarity between the two films is extremely low. Perhaps it is the mood I was in, but the cynical view portrayed by the film I think is indeed an extremely accurate depiction of our present culture. And the movie was actually positive: people in real life I think fare worseBeauty of a film..! - bbell
I love both the message and the filming involved in this movie!! It is a hilarious dipiction of the typical american family, and rings true on several levels.
There are also many twists and turns, which makes it completely unpredictable and amazing! It was definitely oscar-worthy, and I can't wait to watch it again.
Enjoy it with an open mind. :)
Member Reviews
Read All...
Love the Comsept - LilyandMick
This story was completely different from what I would remember and this is one of the movie that I would watch over and over again. Kevin Spacy's charactor made this whole movie more interesting, but weird in a good way. All the charactors were little mysterious ...A Very compelling film. The beauty in American culture is in its dysfunctionality. - moviemonger
American Beauty is narrated on Lester Burnham who is in a mid-life crisis, caused by his stressed wife Carolyn and rebelling teenage daughter Jane. When Lester and Carolyn go watch Jane cheerleading, they meet Angela Hayes, and Lester, caught in sudden lust ...Beauty of a film..! - bbell
I love both the message and the filming involved in this movie!! It is a hilarious dipiction of the typical american family, and rings true on several levels.
There are also many twists and turns, which makes it completely unpredictable and amazing! ...