American Beauty details

American Beauty
Formats: 18 DVD, Blu-ray
Starring: Thora Birch, Scott Bakula, Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper, Sam Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Mena Suvari, Allison Janney, Peter Gallagher
Director: Sam Mendes
Genre: Drama - Crime
Studio: DREAMWORKS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Collections: 100 must-see movies, Best Picture Oscar Winners, Oscar Winners, Top Must See Movies
Name Discs
American Beauty
18 Feature

DVD Information

Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Rental release: 27 Nov 2000
Main languages: English
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Most helpful review American Beauty

  • She is a beauty by the way!

    Rated - 4.0 stars  
    By a customer from Leicester , 20 Sep 2003

    [Highly rated reviewer]

    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 fit my criteria perfectly. The acting is simply amazing, with some inspired casting, especially the remarkable Kevin Spacey. This movie might have just been put aside if any old person was thrown into each role, but the actors chosen, bring out the fascinating characters the screenwriter penned and the director envisioned.

    It's a somewhat serious film, but it's also a black comedy. The more I watch it, the funnier it becomes. I eagerly anticipate the heavier, darker scenes that still put a weight on my chest. This movie may not be a winner with everyone, but if it draws your attention, it's got you caught. Enjoy.
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All reviews

(229)
  • Just beautiful.

    Rated - 4.5 stars  
    By Platospupil (195 reviews) , 17 Nov 2012
    Just about flawless - well to this monkey it is anyway. So many wonderful parables and so much insight. Actors who often annoy me just turned to genius by superb direction. Life is, it would seem, well understood by some. Look no further, this is Pride and Prejudice for the filmic age.
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  • VERY POOR

    Rated - 2.0 stars  
    By Burnhamite (379 reviews) from BURNHAM , 10 Nov 2012
    Sam Mendes has been much more successful than his achievements with this movie which clearly indicates why 'Shrinks' are among the highest sought after and highly paid 'quacks' in the United States
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  • Hell, these American Suburbia films are generally drivel....but somehow this one works

    Rated - 4.0 stars  
    By roncoach (365 reviews) from suffolk , 04 Apr 2012
    I don't like Kevin Spacey. I don't like these 'America Suburbia' films. I don't like tragi-comedies.

    Well, that's that film finished then........except, it's pretty good !

    Yes, all the ingredients which I usually dislike are there : American Suburbia and its weird inhabitants, disillusiioned middle-aged men who hate their jobs and are going thru a mid-life crisis, obnoxious High School teenagers who own brand new top of the range cars and deal casually in sex and drugs, failing marriages and affairs, the general feeling that American Society is an appalling thing that will eventually lead to the whole country imploding ( and indeed I know America well and I believe it WILL go down the drain completely within 20 or 30 years).

    But somehow this film succeeds. Why ?

    Well, I can't honestly tell you..........Spacey makes the central character both funny, tragic and likeable in a strange way. It doesn't allow the teenage angst factor to dominate the film, the ultimate plot does not become transparant,

    the support players do the little they are asked of in a creditable way, the viewers become 'hooked' and the director reels us in very cunningly.

    I cannot understand how it won the Academy Award, but I can understand why it might have been nominated and why it might have a lot of support from reviewers and audiences alike.

    OK...........you won't find another 4 star review from me as good as this one, not in respect of this type of film.....so make the most of it :))))))))))))
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  • True Beauty

    Rated - 5.0 stars  
    By Stuart86 (13 reviews) , 16 Mar 2012

    THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Show review anywayHide

    Amazing film. I really enjoyed the breakdown of the main characters. Bored by the life they live and decide to do something about it. Kevin Spacey is a lad in this film. Drink beer and work out whilst having sex with an attractive female (although he doesnt actually have sex with her).

    This film left me feeling the underlinig beauty of the world. The plastic bag also struck home as I have actually stood staring at a plastic bag in the wind and appreciated how happy and free it looked.. oh I was jealous!
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  • A beautifully, dark, funny look at the last moments in a bored man’s life.

    Rated - 4.5 stars  
    By Fishy182 (29 reviews) from Uxbridge , 01 Mar 2012
    It's a story about how a midlife crisis can utterly free a man.

    Right from the opening scene we are told, by himself, that in less than a year Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) will be dead.

    Straight away this is one of the things I loved about this film. You know the end right from the start. Just not the way it comes to be.

    This leads you down a sometimes surreal path of funny shocking moments from a (we're told) normal life.

    Complete with a hauntingly fitting yet seemingly out of place soundtrack.

    And bam! You've got yourself a winner. A 5 time Oscar Winner.

    If you haven't seen this film yet, do yourself a favour and watch it. You'll feel more complete as a person if you do.
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