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Master Rank #205

American Beauty

1999

GCML Total8.9640% Greatness · 40% Engagement · 20% Ease

Directed by Sam Mendes

CastKevin Spacey · Annette Bening · Thora Birch

USAEnglishDrama122 minR
IMDb Top 250Narrative FeatureModerate pace
Find Where to Watch
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Oscar · 5Globe · 3BAFTA · 6

Spoiler-free premise

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.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Suburban father Lester Burnham becomes infatuated with his daughter Jane's friend Angela and abandons the routines that have made him numb. His wife Carolyn pursues status, while Jane forms a bond with observant new neighbor Ricky Fitts.

Why it belongs

Through symmetrical surfaces, mordant narration, fantasy imagery, and an ensemble of private dissatisfaction, American Beauty exposes suburban performance.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Picture windows, rose petals, video images, dinner-table blocking, and Thomas Newman's score transform the Burnhams' home into a theater of self-invention; the ensemble's tonal rigor lets satire and sadness remain uncomfortably adjacent.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Academy Awards5 wins2000 · official ceremony record ↗
Best Picture2000 · Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks, Producersofficial ceremony record ↗Directing2000 · Sam Mendesofficial ceremony record ↗Actor in a Leading Role2000 · Kevin Spaceyofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)2000 · Alan Ballofficial ceremony record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

Golden Globes3 wins2000 · official film record ↗
Best Motion Picture - Drama2000 · American Beautyofficial film record ↗Best Director - Motion Picture2000 · Sam Mendesofficial film record ↗Best Screenplay - Motion Picture2000 · Alan Ballofficial film record ↗
BAFTA6 wins2000 · official BAFTA 2000 Film Awards results ↗
Best Film2000 · Sam Mendesofficial BAFTA 2000 Film Awards results ↗Best Actor2000 · Kevin Spaceyofficial BAFTA 2000 Film Awards results ↗Best Actress2000 · Annette Beningofficial BAFTA 2000 Film Awards results ↗

Plus 3 additional wins

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Date NightFilm Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

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