American Beauty (1999)

Provoked by forbidden passions, Lester Burnham (Spacey) decides to make a few changes in his rut of a life, changes that are less midlife crisis than adolescence reborn. The freer he gets, the happier he gets, which is even more maddening to his wife, Carolyn (Bening), and daughter Jane (Birch) --especially when he turns his lustful gaze toward Jane's friend, the sultry Angela (Suvari). (Dreamworks SKG)
Cast and Information
Directed By: Sam Mendes
Written By: Alan Ball
Starring: Allison Janney, Kevin Spacey, Peter Gallagher, John Cho, Chris Cooper, Annette Bening, Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley, Thora Birch, Scott Bakula, Sam Robards, Barry Del Sherman
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Where to Stream
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American Beauty belongs to 152 collections
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Browse the full list of collections
Stars | User | Rating | |
11 | ![]() |
Paxton | 40 10th |
This movie did what no other movie had done, nay, what no other movie could have done and suggested that suburban life contains problems. This had previously been outlawed by the Hays Code which stated that if you could afford a house within a metropolitan area, you were therefore not to be harmed by the trivialities of actuality. Breaking with 65 years of tradition, this film was bolstered by its fearless depiction of a man quitting his own job. Several audience members were hospitalized.
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11 | ![]() |
Ag0stoMesmer | 3 73rd |
White People Problems: The Movie
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9 | ![]() |
Eldred08 | 100 98th |
This is not just another 'silly crap of Hollywood'. It's certainly an exception. Watch it without any prejudice and you'll see what I mean.
I really understand why Ingmar Bergman liked this film and why he was so misunderstood ...
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5 | ![]() |
Magb | 65 30th |
Eh. It has some good moments (I actually quite liked the much-maligned "paperbag blowing in the wind" scene), but it's nowhere near as profound as it wants to be. It's like someone took a standard sit-com plot and tried to make an Important, Meaningful Movie out of it, but forgot to take out some of the sit-com parts. But again, it has some nice moments, and Kevin Spacey is very good.
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5 | ![]() |
Alex Watkins | 3 38th |
The more I see it, the less melodramatic it seems and the funnier it becomes.
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4 | ![]() |
Kojiless | 14 14th |
What a normal movie.
Yes the acting is fair, but the plot is far from "groundbreaking" and or "revolutionary." I bet there are thousands of families just like this all over America. Visit your next-door neighbor for a more exciting ride... You might even get a free dinner!
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4 | ![]() |
GravyMaximus | 85 91st |
Wonderful simile about how people can fool themselves into thinking that anything in life is more important than being happy. As another user summed up perfectly, the characters were basically "hyperbolized caricatures" of themselves. I percieve this to be a strength of the movie, as it seems very intentional. It influences the viewer to note the "fakeness" of the characters, as they are simply "acting" and trying to force themselves into being content with their miserable lives.
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4 | ![]() |
QVT | 75 79th |
Spacey might be my favorite actor. Let down by the overwhelming pretentiousness of the movie. Here's a bag blowing in the wind. Well here's a 75 and a less than stellar review on the internet, prick!
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4 | ![]() |
andysor | 45 22nd |
Haven't seen it since it came out, so I have no detailed recollection, but one of those films that seems to be designed to make the average movie watcher believe they've seen something deep and profound.
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3 | ![]() |
doctor7 | 87 88th |
I really don't know why this film is classified as a "drama." Through and through it's a comedy for me. When there aren't direct jokes between characters the sheer absurdity and hatred of "suburban living" the film portrays is itself hilarious. Spacey is actually, and ironically, captivating as his role of the average uninteresting and pacified american male. Bening is hilarious as well as the "20th century woman" clashing with "the ideal wife" role. Hilarious film, well worth seeing.
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3 | ![]() |
TheDenizen | 40 17th |
*YAWN* Wake me when it ends. A talented cast wasted on a film with zero interest or substance.
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3 | ![]() |
djross | 35 19th |
Wildly over-praised. A phenomenon of which I have become aware is that, between the mid- and late-1990s, films featuring Kevin Spacey attracted more praise than they deserved. I would submit as evidence L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, SEVEN, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, and this film, which probably represents the peak of this phenomenon.
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3 | donofthedead | 10 3rd |
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Extremely overrated film about nothing.
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3 | DVicknabb | 93 75th |
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It's not the brilliant drama it aspires to be, full of insight into the social problems of the American middle class. Instead, it's a comedy that takes itself far too seriously but is still just a bit too enjoyable. I think the thing that gets me is the fact that Kevin Spacey seems delighted to be making this movie throughout; his charm really pours over into me.
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3 | ![]() |
Barthalen | 50 28th |
It was a bit shocking how utterly simplistic and obvious everything about this movie was. Boy, monogamy sure is hard! Drugs sure are fun! Pretty girls sure are boring! Marines sure are strict and homophobes unless they, uh oh, hide a dark secret! A mainly piano soundtrack sure make simplistic things seem profound! The acting of everyone whose character wasn't an insultingly simplistic caricature was decent at least.
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3 | ![]() |
drstrangeluv | 45 17th |
What a bunch of pretentious dreck. Alan Ball is solely at fault here, penning a brainless script with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to the groin.
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3 | ![]() |
omgfridge | 1 8th |
Cheesy uneven rubbish. I hate the relationships and how characters come to be and so much about this. Even monotone delivery made me wanna throw up, luckily there was a beautiful bag dancing in the wind for me to use. Trash.
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2 | ![]() |
Moribunny | 0 0th |
By the end of the title credits you already know that the moral of the story is "be happy with what you've got" or so, and then you get beaten over the head with it bluntly for the next two hours. One of the stupidest, lousiest movies I've ever endured.
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2 | ![]() |
BattleToad | 97 98th |
A fantastic film about fighting the mundaneness of suburban life. Passion, beauty, humor, and plastic bags on film are all part of what make this one of the most breathtaking films ever made. Kevin Spacey's Academy Award winning leading role is supremely deserved for his performance in this incredible film, and Thomas Newman's leitmotif's will keep your ears happy, even if you think the plastic bag thing is weird. Awesome!
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2 | ![]() |
grimsooth | 91 96th |
Making peace with your own desires is the hallmark of maturity, even if it can lead you in some strange directions now and again. Eventually you'll be better for it, despite everything else.
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2 | ![]() |
Nathan S | 4 74th |
If its message and themes are heavy-handed and corny, they're at least always true-to-life and poignant. It does a great job of portraying starkly contrasting emotions without losing its aim or power. Spacey gives an almost iconic performance supported by equally deranged and compelling characters that are probably some of the most memorable of the 90's.
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2 | ![]() |
TedDedon | 90 86th |
American Beauty is a great movie that depicts suburban families with issues that everyone can relate to. Though it's a little exploitive of basic family emotions it's still an excellent provacative movie that will surely be enjoyed by anyone who isn't intimidated by corrupted morality in a movie.
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2 | ![]() |
Wiche | 100 99th |
One of the best movies I've ever seen. Especially the superb humour and the brilliant dialogues are what i've loved in this film. Just brilliant if you like this kind of humour.
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2 | ![]() |
XakkMaster | 93 94th |
Ruined by real world Kevin Spacey context & I can no longer recommend this movie to anyone. Pre-scandal review: The atmosphere alone creates a tense and uncomfortable vision that puts emphasis on the duality of Subarban life; more specifically, it makes effective use of lighting to display the difference in superficial appearance (daytime) and the darker truths (nighttime). Heavy handed at times and a little full of itself, it's still a benchmark American film & Spacey is brilliant.
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2 | ![]() |
DeaThRoW | 100 98th |
Lester Burnham's "last temptations" as a crying wink to the family of today. An instant american classic in a Golden Era way.
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2 | msworddoc | 90 93rd |
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ban this sick filth
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2 | ![]() |
ewp805 | 90 94th |
A great little film that can be interpreted in so many ways. Through colors, cues, music, set pieces, props and camerawork, Mendes masterfully crafts the Burnham family's journey through escaping the imprisonment and artificiality of suburban life in America. Spacey and Bening are great at the lead, but some scenes in the last act (particularly ones involving the Ricky Fitts character) seem a bit pretentious and bog it down. Still, a great look into true happiness. Funny, too.
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2 | ![]() |
FunkyAstro | 90 93rd |
What a beautiful & inspirational story this was. This film takes you behind the locked doors of a typical sub-urban home and shows you the true price of the American dream. The timing of this movie was impeccable, meaning it came out right when America needed to be humbled. One thing I loved is how relateable every single character is. This was only made applicable through stellar acting. American Beauty... I couldn't think of a better title - or a better way to describe this movie.
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2 | ![]() |
SirStuckey | 40 14th |
Overrated as shit. This is one of those movies casual movie watchers bring up to me to try to show how advanced they are with their movie tastes. Once I tell them I really don't like it (and that I dislike the Boondock Saints because they always seem to like it too) they think I am a movie elitist. Just because something tries to act really deep doesn't mean it is. Who doesn't think a plastic bag caught in the wind in awe-inspiring?
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2 | ![]() |
CMonster | 95 98th |
People need to give up bitching about the plastic bag. That is not what makes this movie good or give anything to the meaning. If somebody tells you the bag has meaning, feel free to kick them in the dick (or punch their tit or something if its a chick). But I say it is impossible to not find Spacey hilarious in this, he rules and is why this movie is worth watching.
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1 | ![]() |
JRC_85 | 90 88th |
Good movie. Dark, sad, depressing and at times, surprisingly funny. Spacey gives a stellar performance- he totally deserved the Oscar.
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1 | ![]() |
AgentSnipe | 99 99th |
A movie like this only comes along once in a great while. One that's emotional, moving, inspiring, funny, and tragic all at the same time. Kevin Spacey won a deserved Academy Award for this film. For all naysayers about the film, just ignore the plastic bag and you'll still get through the movie all right.
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1 | ![]() |
cellophane | 82 49th |
Though it loses a lot upon repeat viewings, the initial effect of the movie is still powerful.
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1 | ![]() |
Filligan | 98 97th |
Spacey is the everyman's aspiration and following his journey to paradisiacal salvation amongst the beauty of the world is thought-provoking. This film could have been wrong, every bit of it. What makes it so amazing is not just the wonderful script by Ball, but the talent that was recruited to bring it to life. Newman's score is so haunting and poignant, Hall's cinematography is free and unique, and Mendes' direction in conducting all of this together is truly admirable. Perfect.
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1 | ![]() |
nosre | 81 87th |
Works great as a comedy. Don't go in expecting to get your life changed though.
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1 | ![]() |
Dorkovsky | 5 59th |
Although it lacks any subtlety and isn't nearly as profound as it wants to be, it is still competently made and often very funny, for the first half at least.
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1 | ![]() |
Pickpocket | 7 68th |
I like this movie but the scene with the bag is beyond terrible. Wanna see the most beautiful thing I ever filmed? Then he shows her a video of a bag blowing in the wind. Wow scene, you are a cunt
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1 | SavageLucy42 | 45 12th |
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Overrated bullshit.
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1 | ![]() |
aus_hab_fan | 96 99th |
Best film ever made IMHO. Incredible sound track, perfect performances all round, and a great look at the death of the American Dream (even moreso than the film version of Death of a Salesman)
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1 | easymac742 | 92 95th |
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This has more and more poigniancy as I get older. The first two times I saw it, I was relatively unphased. Everytime thereafter, however, I've wept at the closing montage.
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1 | ![]() |
inc0gnito | 96 99th |
Awesome introspect of upper class suburbia.
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1 | ![]() |
Vince Leo (Qwipster's Movie Reviews) | 85 94th |
Extremely well-crafted across the board, with numerous moments of greatness. Probably the most tragic of funny films since THE GRADUATE. Or is it the funniest tragedy? [Full Review]
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1 | ![]() |
HalfJapanese | 85 76th |
It's cliched by this point, but that's not the film's fault so much as the fault of the unworthy pretenders.
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1 | ![]() |
sw0 | 91 88th |
Great soundtrack, the way the film was directed kept me entertained.
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1 | ![]() |
MJVmovieMan | 78 76th |
A dark dramedy featuring a great performance from Kevin Spacey. The Oscars ate it up, and so did a sizable audience, but I wasn't totally sold out for it.
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1 | seven7blurs | 25 26th |
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A film that mocks and caricatures the suburbs, then expects us to take it seriously?
Filled with stereotypical characters and predictable outcomes.
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1 | Matthias99 | 100 99th |
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One of my favorite movies. A great screenplay, and Kevin Spacey is fantastic.
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1 | ![]() |
jonny_boy | 90 97th |
Everything is at it's place in this movie. Some comedic elements actually turn this film in to tragedy towards the end. Great story of one's attempt to change his life in the middle of american dream.
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1 | ![]() |
hellsditch | 82 73rd |
The plastic bag scene was really important for me at the time, as I remember feeling that very same way about alot of things. To see it expressed so clearly on film was a thrill.
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1 | ![]() |
recklessmess | 82 79th |
Chicks covered in rose petals and Kevin Spacey. Can it get any better than that?
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1 | ![]() |
Astfgl | 97 99th |
One of the first movies to pick up on the disturbing currents beneath the calm waters of suburbia, and possibly the best.
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1 | fantasma | 94 98th |
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A really thought provoking picture. A must see.
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1 | ![]() |
paulofilmo | 60 15th |
Some good ideas here, but it's about as steeped in eye-rolling, cloying pretension as any film I've ever seen (almost Garden State bad). The painful script and acting aside, it has its moments, with good humour and an impressive performance from the unknown Bentley. The soundtrack, of course, is beautiful. Thomas Newman was undermined by the film in my opinion. -- To paraphrase a quote from the film: "Sometimes life is hard, but it's not supposed to be easy, because easy things aren't hard."
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1 | ![]() |
purgatos | 68 44th |
It feels like it's trying too hard to be weird and by the end it just becomes annoying.
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1 | ![]() |
panzerwolf | 88 95th |
Funny, tragic, sad. For some reason I was expecting not to like it, but I actually enjoyed it a lot.
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1 | CGriffin | 96 97th |
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I had my doubts on this one, but it really came through in the end. At first, the movie seemed very flat to me, and my expectations were low, but the character development towards the end of the movie was a very pleasant surprise. Very good all in all.
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1 | ![]() |
batface89 | 97 96th |
One of my favorite films. Great characters and excellent writing.
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1 | ![]() |
mimosveta | 100 95th |
My Favorite
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1 | ![]() |
eric-jan | 85 94th |
a midlife crisis. Great acting by Kevin Spacey.
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1 | ![]() |
begoniabol | 88 92nd |
Spacey is awesome
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WWallce4prez | 87 90th |
Bening is fantastic and Lester Burnham may be one of the most entertaining characters to grace the screen in a long time. Mendes does his thing by creating a visually beautiful film, but there are WAY too many cliches to make this a masterpiece. Nearly every line out of Wes Bently's mouth is complete nonsense and pretentious drivel. This film said enough without this character trying to force messages down the viewer's throat. Still, an entertaining film to say the least.
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Piglet | 79 89th |
Kevin Spacey wanking in the shower, 16-year old tits, and a gay army officer. Sounds a bit off doesn't it, but they really pull it off.
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Bown | 82 63rd |
I probably need to watch this movie again, but I remember really enjoying it. Spacey makes it, though. He's so awesome.
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jkr | 86 98th |
Like it or not; if you haven't seen this you are movie-illiterate.
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mwgerb | 61 69th |
This movie has some moments of beauty, but unfortunately it also has moments where it only THINKS its being beautiful. I think my major problem is that the film is set up for the audience to identify with Ricky Fitts, while I kind of find him to be a self-important, pretentious teenage douche.
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billkerwin | 80 42nd |
Good performances, but pretentious and overrated.
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1 | zeytoun | 90 97th |
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Intoxicating and sobering.
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antitype | 53 24th |
Tries far too hard. Perhaps a bit unintentionally funny.
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Laetitia | 70 26th |
Not bad, but watching it after 6 years since the last time I saw, it looks a lot less intelligent.
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hellboy76 | 90 97th |
Sue me I liked it AND I thought the bag floating around was kinda pretty. Cuter than Mena Suvari anyways.
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PerryStroika | 60 40th |
Good acting almost but not quite redeems the hamfisted writing.
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Noblet | 68 44th |
It's entertaining, however I didn't really find the social commentary particularly insightful or interesting. It boils down to just being a pretty good melodrama with some strange moments thrown in.
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caramlefloat | 40 4th |
One word as I finished watching this movie: weird. Like the trailer says, on the surface, you see this "typical" family in a typical suburban neighborhood. Look closer, and you see a broken family with problems plain and obvious. There were so many quirky characters in this movie that I could not relate to any of them and really sympathize.
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Calabria | 90 97th |
It took 11 years for me to come to an understanding of the plastic bag that I was comfortable with.
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Minorsage | 5 4th |
Another recommendation that I just didn't get. The shrillness of Annette Bening's character was grating, the plot was thin and boring. I couldn't care about this movie at all.
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Ale-Jet | 97 98th |
Denne filmen er så på kornet at det nesten er morsomt. Lester Burnham, spilt av Kevin Spacey, har ikke noe å tape og satser alt. Dette er kunst fra Sam Mendes' side. Fortellingen om plastposen for eksempel. Skjønnhet er individuelt, og man må se dypt for å forstå den.
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1 | Samos | 90 91st |
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Witty, insightful, brilliant. A film that deals with many issues that most filmakers wouldn't even go near, with incredible subtlety and deftness of touch. A must see film
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Boxcars | 6 32nd |
Sam Mendes's direction is more than competent and the cast--especially Spacey--is splendid, but "American Beauty" falls short due to its insistence on painting the detestable character of Lester Burnham as a misunderstood soul while condemning its other comparable characters in a near-pretentious fashion.
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1 | dellair45 | 60 40th |
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I was generally disappointed in American Beauty. Technically its very well put together. Kevin Spacey gives the smarmiest role of his life and pulls it off with relative ease. Annette Bening is also fantastic as his ball crushing wife. Obviously the content is a little controversial, but sometimes art can give insights into topics that make us uncomfortable. I don't believe American Beauty accomplishes that.
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1 | law | 85 98th |
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It's hard to imagine any movie tackling suburban ennui better than American Beauty has. My only criticism is that it's a bit lacking in self-awareness, as it can be a little too cruel to the characters it satirises, and a little too on-the-nose.
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Displaying 1 to 250 of 532 total ratings: Prev | Next
Average Percentile 68.2% from 22491 Ratings | ![]() |