Guide Note

American Beauty is a comedy and drama film that stars Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Mena Suvari, and Thora Birch. At the 2000 Academy Awards, the film was nominated for eight awards, and took home five.

Fast Facts

1. Released: September 15, 1999
2. Rated: R for mature content
3. Running time: 1 hour, 58 minutes
4. Budget for film: Estimated around 15 million
5. Worldwide gross total: $356,296,601
6. Directed by: Sam Mendes
7. Known best for the "Rose Scene" and "Plastic Bag" scene

Plot

American Beauty is a story of a Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a 42 year-old man who is unhappy with his life, including his job and marriage. His wife, Caroly (Annette Bening), is also unhappy in their marriage, each blaming one another, and spending all of their time together fighting. They have a teenage daughter, Jane (Thora Birch) who has lost respect for the two due to all of the fighting. Lester decides he needs to transform his life after meeting Jane's best-friend Angela Hayes (Mena Suvari). Angela is an attractive, confident and promiscuous cheerleader and aspiring actress. Lester has a crush on her and decides it is time to begin working out after he over hears Angela tell Jane that if he were more muscular, she would "totally f--k him." While working out in the garage, the neighbor, Colonel Frank Fitts, USMC (Chris Cooper) walks up very upset. Lester attempts to console him, Colonel Fitts takes this as a homosexual pass and kisses him. Lester explains that he is not homosexual, leaving Colonel Fitts feeling humiliated. Later that day, he returns, shooting Lester in the back of his head.