American Beauty

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: September 15, 1999

8.7	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 1219 Ratings

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User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

geewahMay 3, 2021

Sam Mendes domestic tale of secrets, mistrust and the desire for more is handled with intelligence and some clever dark humour.
A fine directorial debut.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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nikos3194Jul 24, 2023

A crafted movie with an excellent cast and a powerful story. It’s a film that will make you think and feel deeply about life, love, and the human condition.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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jojJan 7, 2010

I remember this movie coming out when I was younger, but knew I had no hopes of watching a film whose cover depicted little more than a woman's naval. That being said, it is perhaps all of the hype I've seen this film accumulate I remember this movie coming out when I was younger, but knew I had no hopes of watching a film whose cover depicted little more than a woman's naval. That being said, it is perhaps all of the hype I've seen this film accumulate over the years that caused me to be a litte underwhelmed by it. Now I'm not saying that the movie doesn't accomplish what it set out to do or all of the things that people tend to praise it for: it was meaningful, touching, unique and had wonderful character development. I'm actually quite glad I of the fact that I didn't see this as a child, as I would have likely gotten little more from it than a few images of the elusive female breasts. I did, however, find myself continuously picking out little nuisances that really took away from the whole experience. Of course I'm sure a lot of the things I found to be "wrong" weren't actually shortcomings in the film itself, but more just my own personal disatisfactions. I probably would have given it a 9 had I not had more time to reflect on it as a whole. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't go into this expecting an absolutely perfect movie, instead expect a poignant and often humorous story that has lost a bit of its relevance over the years.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

ChristopherJ.Mar 21, 2007

This movie had some uncomfortable twists, and I appreciated all of them. The tension was almost unbearable for me at times, but the releases were satisfying enough. When the husband throws a dinner plate across the room, I almost wet myself. This movie had some uncomfortable twists, and I appreciated all of them. The tension was almost unbearable for me at times, but the releases were satisfying enough. When the husband throws a dinner plate across the room, I almost wet myself. Some nudity parts and parental abuse parts could have been removed or toned down to improve the overall quality, but overall a fun film to watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

csw12Mar 31, 2012

Amercian Beauty is a good film not great. It is a good movie thats shows forbidden love and family destruction. Kevin Spacey and the entire cast were great.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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Aboodash56Aug 16, 2021

American Beauty is one of the most strangest and fascinating films I've ever seen. The film provides a satire about the middle class's perception of love and beauty, while delving deeper into the themes of love, sexuality, materialism andAmerican Beauty is one of the most strangest and fascinating films I've ever seen. The film provides a satire about the middle class's perception of love and beauty, while delving deeper into the themes of love, sexuality, materialism and liberation and providing a character study about a man slowly delving deeper into his fantasies. Kevin Spacey does a great job in portraying Lester Burnham and he genuinely comes off as creepy. The cinematography is wonderful and Thomas Newman's score is phenomenal and compliments the story well. The biggest issue I have with the film is that the sex scenes are uncomfortable to watch and its depiction of sex comes off as disturbing and off putting. I never cared too much about the characters other than Lester and the film drags down during the second act. American Beauty can be a film that is hard to watch at times, but it does a great job in tackling its subject and it makes for a memorable watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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JeremyESep 14, 2009

I wish people would stop talking about "Hollywood trying to push an agenda" and stupid crap like that. Just concentrate on the movie. That being said, I really just don't see what all the hype was about. Every actor in the movie played I wish people would stop talking about "Hollywood trying to push an agenda" and stupid crap like that. Just concentrate on the movie. That being said, I really just don't see what all the hype was about. Every actor in the movie played his or her part exceptionally well (especially Bening and Birch), but the story was pointless. It's just a horny man in a midlife crisis, his wife is obsessed with work, his daughter is a typical, nonchalant teenager. It's a story about regular life. Nothing about it was interesting at all. You keep waiting for it to pick up, but nothing happens. And the surprise at the ending of the movie has no moral or reasoning. So basically, Actors good. Plot boring. If you're an actor or a film buff, you'll enjoy it, but if you're just a regular movie watcher, skip it.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

TyranianMar 6, 2020

Interesting film, fairly well-written but not always believable. The acting is pretty good.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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JuanSebastianDec 16, 2015

What I loved the most about this movie was the screenplay. The story is the strongest thing about this production, also Kevin Spacey's acting was one of my favorites. I was expecting a lot before watching the movie but that doesn't mean it'sWhat I loved the most about this movie was the screenplay. The story is the strongest thing about this production, also Kevin Spacey's acting was one of my favorites. I was expecting a lot before watching the movie but that doesn't mean it's a bad movie. Actually is a great one, not a movie that a would consider a five time Oscar winner but it's ok. Screenplay and acting, American Beauty it's all about that.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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Sosmooth1982Apr 16, 2023

It was a ok movie. I didn't like Kevin Spacey creeping on a young teenager, but other then that it was a good movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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AgentLviJul 7, 2023

not bad movie, but not good either. The story is really miss & match, visual is decent, and the voice is also decent

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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PatrickDNov 30, 2006

This film along with Chicago and Crash are some of the most overrated pictures of the last 10 years to win best picture. At heart, American Beauty is a failed satire. It takes rote cliches like the father with a midlife crisis to the amateur This film along with Chicago and Crash are some of the most overrated pictures of the last 10 years to win best picture. At heart, American Beauty is a failed satire. It takes rote cliches like the father with a midlife crisis to the amateur film maker to the gay retired soldier and does nothing about them. You have potential to skewer the American nuclear family and the suburban ennui, but instead we get a hackneyed plot. Notable mostly for Annette Benning's performance, this movie is pedestrian and worth watching if you like WASPs trying to emote.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

ovi_bzJan 7, 2011

It's an american not so beauty at all story. Nothing is really happen in this movie. The Kevin's character is a sick man. I don't understand why so many people like so much this movie

0 of 10 users found this helpful010

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gameguardian21Aug 31, 2016

To be honest, I think this is a overrated, dull, boring, and kinda creepy movie. The characters are just so flat and creepy that they just don't feel like humans. And I know thats what some try to do but to me, it just doesn't cut out.To be honest, I think this is a overrated, dull, boring, and kinda creepy movie. The characters are just so flat and creepy that they just don't feel like humans. And I know thats what some try to do but to me, it just doesn't cut out. Nothing in this movie interests me and made me care that made me dislike the movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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MarshallM.Oct 30, 2005

I do not know why the critics liked it so much! sure, there's some decent acting, but the charaters are all bad people and they are hard to like. i DO agree with ken B., they're just trying to see how far they can go, pushing the I do not know why the critics liked it so much! sure, there's some decent acting, but the charaters are all bad people and they are hard to like. i DO agree with ken B., they're just trying to see how far they can go, pushing the limits is what gets u oscar nominations.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful

[Anonymous]Apr 17, 2004

The acting is completely pedestrian. Kevin Spacey is as good an actor as my next door neighbor. The philosophical ideas behind it are hardly deep or meaningful. There is nothing redeeming about it, and all of the characters are completely The acting is completely pedestrian. Kevin Spacey is as good an actor as my next door neighbor. The philosophical ideas behind it are hardly deep or meaningful. There is nothing redeeming about it, and all of the characters are completely devoid of any qualities that make me care for them in any way. It was a totally average film. The only reason I give it a 3 is because the cinematography was fairly well done. Not Hitchcock, Woody Allen or Bergman, but not bad either.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful

'garmanAug 13, 2009

Entertaining in the way of a freak show. As irresistible a view as an accident scene. Hollywood cynicism par excellence. I made it through the movie without losing my dinner, but nearly lost it watching them all gush in the ludicrously named Entertaining in the way of a freak show. As irresistible a view as an accident scene. Hollywood cynicism par excellence. I made it through the movie without losing my dinner, but nearly lost it watching them all gush in the ludicrously named "Behind the Scenes Featurette".… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful

ScraperSep 13, 2018

It's always interesting to see a movie about someone who let's go of societal norms, starts living for themselves, telling people what they really think with reckless abandon. We all daydream about acting like that. What really turns me offIt's always interesting to see a movie about someone who let's go of societal norms, starts living for themselves, telling people what they really think with reckless abandon. We all daydream about acting like that. What really turns me off about American Beauty is the way every antagonist is portrayed as a complete idiot. There's no subtlety to anyone's character. The guy who hates gay people is Hitler and his wife is a mute. Jane's friend isn't promiscuous, she's a total whore. Their friendship is baffling. Lester's wife is so materialistic that she shoots him in the head. Everything is over the top and trying to hold the mirror to society in one breath. It comes off as really preachy and righteous.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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akshatmahajanJun 17, 2021

When I came to know that "The Sixth Sense" lose Oscar to this movie, I had great expectations for this movie. After watching, I can say that it is too much overrated.
Movie's plot was simple, boring and over-dramatic. The direction was good.When I came to know that "The Sixth Sense" lose Oscar to this movie, I had great expectations for this movie. After watching, I can say that it is too much overrated.
Movie's plot was simple, boring and over-dramatic. The direction was good. The movie's pacing could have been improved. Only thing I liked about this movie was the acting of Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham.
Overall, would not recommend. You may watch it if you like overrated movies which undeservingly won Oscars.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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chrislJun 5, 2009

A really awful overblown and pompous film with very poor directing extremely awkward dialogue, and terrible acting. Kevin Spacey in particular was really tight and bland in his role.

1 of 7 users found this helpful

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