🎬 Movie
Screen catalogue →
1999 · 2h 1m · R · drama film · comedy drama · LGBTQ-related film
Rotten Tomatoes 87%Metacritic 84/100
American Beauty is a 1999 American black comedy and psychological drama film directed by Sam Mendes in his feature directorial debut, and written by Alan Ball. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, an advertising executive who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, played by Mena Suvari. Annette Bening stars as Lester's materialistic wife, Carolyn, and Thora Birch plays their insecure daughter, Jane. Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper, Peter Gallagher, and Allison Janney co-star. Academics have described the film as satirizing how beauty and personal satisfaction are perceived by the American middle class; further analysis has focused on the film's explorations of romantic and paternal love, sexuality, materialism, and self-liberation.
Directed by Sam Mendes
Family guide
Family reviews:Plugged In ↗Common Sense Media ↗Dove ↗Movieguide ↗
