Start a free trial Thousands of TV series and movies to watch instantly. Already a member?

Enter PIN

Please enter your 4 digit PIN

x

American Beauty Details

1999 Certificate 18
  • 80
  • from 72,127 members

AMERICAN BEAUTY tells the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a suburban father who snaps when he becomes disgusted with his stale, repetitive existence. Burnham lets us know in voice-over from the film's opening that this is the day he dies (using the SUNSET BOULEVARD flashback approach), a technique that adds an .. Read more

Starring Kevin Spacey, Sam Roberts, Annette Bening, Wes Bentley
Director Sam Mendes
Genres Drama

Sign up American Beauty DVD, Blu-ray

loading loading...

American Beauty cover art

American Beauty

AMERICAN BEAUTY tells the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a suburban father who snaps when he becomes disgusted with his stale, repetitive existence. Burnham lets us know in voice-over from the film's opening that this is the day he dies (using the SUNSET BOULEVARD flashback approach), a technique that adds an inevitable tension to the proceedings and keeps the story moving forward at all times. On a whim, Lester quits his job and begins a regression into young adulthood, lifting weights, smoking pot, doing nothing, and discovering the overflowing sexuality of his 16-year-old daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). His wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening), has her own midlife crisis of sorts. A real estate agent, she experiences a youthful awakening when super-agent Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher) seduces her repeatedly. Meanwhile, Jane (Thora Birch), the Burnhams' daughter, is pursued by Ricky (Wes Bentley), the mysterious boy next door who carries a video camera around with him at all times. When Ricky's militaristic father, Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper), discovers something potentially horrifying on one of his tapes, and when Carolyn's rage for Lester's actions boils over, the time bomb finally explodes.

Starring Kevin Spacey, Sam Roberts, Annette Bening, Wes Bentley, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Allison Janney, Peter Gallagher, Chris Cooper, Scott Bakula
Director Sam Mendes
Studio DREAMWORKS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 57 mins
Blu-ray: 2 hrs 2 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Collections 100 must-see movies, Best Picture Oscar Winners
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Blu-ray: English
Subtitles Blu-ray: English
Released Production year: 1999

To Rent:
DVD: 27 Nov 2000
Blu-ray: 14 Feb 2011

  • Critic's review of American Beauty

    View all critics' reviews (6)

    • 4 stars out of 4  

      A terrific, biting comedy of a man dealing, in an adolescent way, with a midlife crisis and the aridities of the life he and those around him are living; it manages not only to expose the inanities of a conformist society, but also to suggest an alternati

    • 30651

  • Most helpful member's review of American Beauty

    View all members' reviews (224)

    • Rated - 4.0 stars  

      • 53
      • 6

      She is a beauty by the way!

      I've always been a fan of movies that stand out from the norm and leave the audience sitting, somewhat stunned, when the credits begin to roll. This movie ... read more »

      Report this review

    • 155

  • Most recent members' reviews of American Beauty

    View all members' reviews (224)

    • Rated - 3.5 stars  

      • 0
      • 1

      Was ok

      Liked the story line although it could be a bit confusing at times. Definitely keeps you hooked but I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

      Report this review

    • 1043727
  • View all members' reviews (224)

  • News and features

    View all
    New York

    Spacey's theatre dreams for Middle East

    • 05 Nov 2010

    Actor Kevin Spacey dreams of heading to the Middle East to popularise live theatre. The American Beauty star visited Doha in Qatar last week (ends31Oct10) and insists the trip inspired him to consider a move to the region. He is currently serving as artistic director at London's Old Vic theatre but will leave his post in 2015 - and he admits he would love to make a Middle Eastern production his next project. Spacey tells the Independent newspaper, "One of the things I want to do, without... Read more

  • Image gallery

    View all
    Showing 1 to 4 of 5

    loading

  • People who rented this also rented

    Showing 1 to 4 of 20

    loading

Like it What's this?

Write a review

Rating breakdown

72,127 Member ratings
  • 100
12,870
  • 90
10,459
  • 80
17,991
  • 70
11,977
  • 60
8,901
  • 50
4,369
  • 40
2,529
  • 30
1,388
  • 20
1,105
  • 10
538

Related user collection

My random 100 or so (109)


Average rating: 3.01   60.2% from 56 members

Showing 1 to 3 of 109

View all

loading

by: Micthetic Micthetic

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

    • American Beauty - Blu-ray

    • American Beauty - Blu-ray
      AMERICAN BEAUTY tells the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a suburban father who snaps when he becomes disgusted with his stale, repetitive existence. Burnham lets us know in voice-over from the film's opening that this is the day he dies (using the SUNSET BOULEVARD flashback approach), a ...
    • American Beauty

    • American Beauty
      AMERICAN BEAUTY tells the story of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a suburban father who snaps when he becomes disgusted with his stale, repetitive existence. Burnham lets us know in voice-over from the film's opening that this is the day he dies (using the SUNSET BOULEVARD flashback approach), a ...

Want to watch something right now?

Start your FREE trial now

LOVEFiLM - An Amazon company

Follow LOVEFiLM on

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | EULA | Affiliates | Jobs | Inside LOVEFiLM Blog | About Us | Contact Us

International sites UK DK DE SE NO

LOVEFiLM, the LOVEFiLM logo and all other LOVEFiLM product or service names are trade marks of LOVEFiLM International Ltd. or its affiliates.

© 2012 LOVEFiLM UK Ltd. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.