American Beauty
DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: September 15, 1999
8.7
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 1219 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
1,119
Mixed:
36
Negative:
64
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
MarcusD.Jan 25, 2006
Excellent movie. It's all about finding out what you want and not letting society dictate your attitude and life. Great performance by Kevin Spacey.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
JBAug 11, 2006
An excellent film about ordinary flawed people and their veiled but ever present search for greater meaning, with comedy served on the side.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
9
GraceB.Nov 3, 2007
This movie is going down as one of my all time faves. It's one of those stories that stick with you, that you don't forget about the second the movie's over. It's alot like Garden State with great detail in each and every This movie is going down as one of my all time faves. It's one of those stories that stick with you, that you don't forget about the second the movie's over. It's alot like Garden State with great detail in each and every character, and I'm sure that everyone can find a little of themselves in each one. Captivating film.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
7
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
10
PatrickD.Jun 29, 2007
Touching, beautiful and very original.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
RogelioGNov 13, 2009
I absolutely loved this movie! Very entertaining and dramatic. What ever message, if any, the director was trying to send, i don't care. The acting was great and so was the plot. A very watchable movie for mature audiences.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
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
3
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
All this user's reviews
5
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
All this user's reviews
6
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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7
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
All this user's reviews
6
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
All this user's reviews
4
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
All this user's reviews
6
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
All this user's reviews
3
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
All this user's reviews
7
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
All this user's reviews
10
kyle20ellisMar 10, 2022
I wasn't expecting to like American Beauty, but I did, loved it more like. The story mayn't be original at first glance, but how the film is written and constructed more than compensates you completely overlook. You may argue the charactersI wasn't expecting to like American Beauty, but I did, loved it more like. The story mayn't be original at first glance, but how the film is written and constructed more than compensates you completely overlook. You may argue the characters are weird and unlikeable, maybe so, but they are quite complex. Lester is a self-described loser who is unwanted by everyone, Carolyn is uptight and sexually frustrated, Jane is the epitome of a sulky teenage daughter and Allison is like a incipient Lolita who Lester becomes smitten with. American Beauty is probably an example of a movie that you may need to see more than once to truly appreciate it, I was like that with Vertigo.

What I love about American Beauty is not only the complex characters, but also the stylish filming, haunting score, side-splitting scenarios, the intelligent and darkly funny screenplay and the assured direction from Sam Mendes. Not to mention the performances which are nothing less than impeccable, especially Kevin Spacey who thoroughly deserved his Best Actor Oscar. Annette Bening, Peter Gallagher, Thora Birch and Mena Suvari give wonderful support too. Quintessentially, American Beauty is just a wonderful, funny and brilliantly performed and directed film. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
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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10
SuperbaDMIkeDec 3, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All I got to say is that this movie is a straight up classic, Kevin Spacey gives a fantastic performance in this movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
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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