Film

American Beauty 1999

Directed by Sam Mendes

  • Drama
  • 122 min
  • R

... look closer

Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend.

Dramaestate agentadulterycoming outfirst timevirgincheatingparent child relationshipage differencemidlife crisischeerleaderdark comedyrose

Log it

Sign in to log this.

Where do you stand?

Three questions people argue about. Answer first, then see how your circle and the community split.

  • Is American Beauty overrated?

    Sign in to answer

    Be the first to answer.

  • Is it style over substance?

    Sign in to answer

    Be the first to answer.

  • Would American Beauty hit harder if it came out today rather than in 1999?

    Sign in to answer

    Be the first to answer.

Ask the title a question

Answered from the reviews and content notes on file, never made up. If nothing on file settles it, it says so.

Character

Contemporary, spare, meticulous and character-led.

  • contemporarynostalgic
  • sparerichly built
  • rawmeticulous
  • character-ledplot-driven
  • classical in formformally daring

Who loves it, who doesn't

The ProvocateurThe Provocateur: loved by 23The Provocateur: disliked by 123 / 1The Thrill ChaserThe Thrill Chaser: loved by 15The Thrill Chaser: disliked by 415 / 4The Comfort SeekerThe Comfort Seeker: loved by 14The Comfort Seeker: disliked by 414 / 4The Prestige HunterThe Prestige Hunter: loved by 17The Prestige Hunter: disliked by 117 / 1The EmpathThe Empath: loved by 14The Empath: disliked by 114 / 1The SincereThe Sincere: loved by 13The Sincere: disliked by 213 / 2The ArchivistThe Archivist: loved by 13The Archivist: disliked by 213 / 2The Genre DevoteeThe Genre Devotee: loved by 12The Genre Devotee: disliked by 312 / 3loved (4★+)disliked (2.5★ or less)

204 profiled raters. Loved most by The Provocateurs; disliked most by The Thrill Chasers.