Ricky (Bentley), Jane (Birch), and Angela (Suvari) in a promotional photoLester fantasizes about Angela

Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!


This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

American Beauty

American Beauty is a 1999 drama film that explores themes of love, freedom, self-liberation, family, and the American Dream. more...

HomeHome
ActionAction
Art FilmsArt Films
ClassicsClassics
ComedyComedy
DocumentaryDocumentary
DramaDrama
AmadeusAmadeus
AmelieAmelie
American BeautyAmerican Beauty
American History XAmerican History X
Amores perrosAmores perros
Annie HallAnnie Hall
Apocalypse NowApocalypse Now
Before SunsetBefore Sunset
BraveheartBraveheart
ChinatownChinatown
City of GodCity of God
Cool Hand LukeCool Hand Luke
CrashCrash
Das BootDas Boot
Der UntergangDer Untergang
FargoFargo
Festen Festen
Fight ClubFight Club
Finding NeverlandFinding Neverland
Full Metal JacketFull Metal Jacket
GandhiGandhi
GladiatorGladiator
GloryGlory
GoodfellasGoodfellas
Hotel RwandaHotel Rwanda
L.A. ConfidentialL.A. Confidential
MementoMemento
Million Dollar BabyMillion Dollar Baby
Mystic RiverMystic River
Nuovo cinema ParadisoNuovo cinema Paradiso
OldboyOldboy
Once Upon a Time in AmericaOnce Upon a Time in America
One Flew Over the...One Flew Over the...
Patton moviePatton movie
Pulp FictionPulp Fiction
Raging BullRaging Bull
RanRan
Requiem for a DreamRequiem for a Dream
Saving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan
Schindler's ListSchindler's List
Talk to HerTalk to Her
Taxi DriverTaxi Driver
The ApartmentThe Apartment
The ConversationThe Conversation
The Deer HunterThe Deer Hunter
The Elephant ManThe Elephant Man
The GodfatherThe Godfather
The Godfather: Part IIThe Godfather: Part II
The GraduateThe Graduate
The PianistThe Pianist
The ProfessionalThe Professional
The Shawshank RedemptionThe Shawshank Redemption
The StingThe Sting
The Usual SuspectsThe Usual Suspects
HorrorHorror
Movie PropsMovie Props
Sci-Fi / FantasySci-Fi / Fantasy

The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Cast

  • Kevin Spacey - Lester Burnham
  • Annette Bening - Carolyn Burnham
  • Thora Birch - Jane Burnham
  • Wes Bentley - Ricky Fitts
  • Mena Suvari - Angela Hayes
  • Peter Gallagher - Buddy Kane
  • Allison Janney - Barbara Fitts
  • Scott Bakula - Jim Olmeyer
  • Sam Robards - Jim Berkley
  • Chris Cooper - Colonel Frank Fitts

Plot summary

Lester Burnham (Spacey) is a 42-year-old man in a severe mid-life crisis. His fourteen-year career at a magazine is going nowhere, his perfectionist realtor wife, Carolyn (Bening), drives him crazy, and his angst ridden teenager daughter, Jane (Birch) barely communicates with him, simply writing him off as "weird." This, at least in part, is due to Lester's prior lack of attention towards Jane.

Things begin to change around the Burnham household, however, upon the arrival of their new neighbors, the Fitts. Colonel Frank Fitts (Cooper) is a stern, military man whose wife, Barbara (Janney), seems to be in state of domestic shell shock.

Their eighteen-year-old son, Ricky (Bentley), a boy obsessed with life and beauty, is a successful drug dealer with a penchant for videotaping everything, including Jane next door. Though wary at first, Jane finds Ricky interesting once she gets to know him, which disgusts Jane's typically gorgeous cheerleader friend, Angela (Suvari), who thinks Ricky's a pervert and an oddity.

Angela, who boasts to having slept with numerous men to further her aspiring model career, becomes an object of sexual attraction to Lester. She openly flirts with him, and his attraction to her is obvious and embarrassing to Jane.

In Ricky, Lester finds a kindred spirit whose carefree attitude about life and work — as well as the expensive marijuana Ricky sells him — causes Lester to change his outlook on life. Having successfully blackmailed his former company, Lester sets out to have a good time, not caring that his wife may be cheating on him with local real estate king, Buddy Kane (Gallagher).

Themes

American Beauty focuses on the themes of the disillusioned American dream by examining the materialistic nature of Americans and the emptiness of relationships. American Beauty also examines the nature of true beauty.

American Beauty establishes that Lester and Carolyn have worked to build a comfortable life for themselves and for Jane. The film examines the negative of this concept, for while Lester and Carolyn were busy building a comfortable life for themselves, they lost sight of what is truly important in life. They have become materialistic, illustrated in a scene where Carolyn and Lester are about to kiss and Carolyn ruins it by exclaiming “Lester, you’re going to spill beer on the couch!”

The film focuses on the empty relationships the characters have developed. Neither the Burnham family nor the Fitts family relate on a personal level. For example, in the beginning of the movie, Lester attempts to have a conversation with Jane about her life. Jane explodes by claiming that he suddenly began talking to her because he had a bad day. The movie emphasizes that people, so focused on keeping up appearances and acquiring commodities, no longer find time or purpose in relating to one another.

The film also examines the nature of true beauty, especially through the Ricky’s filming. Throughout the movie, Ricky claims that things that revolve around death or suffering are beautiful, such as a homeless person dying on the street, a dead bird, and a funeral procession. According to Ricky, the most beautiful thing he ever taped was a bag floating by itself in the wind.

Finally, American Beauty examines the theme of taking control of one’s own happiness. During the course of the movie, Lester realizes that he has no control over what makes him happy. He attempts to take control of this by quitting his job, beginning to tell his wife of his wants and needs, and smoking marijuana. Carolyn also re-examines what makes her happy. A woman initially wholly focused on business success, she finds happiness in an extra-marital affair and frequents a shooting range.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

American Beauty Yellow Roses By Oasis Xl Fabric Panel 60"X60" Quilt BackingAmerican Beauty Yellow Roses By Oasis Xl Fabric Panel 60"X60" Quilt Backing $27.50 American Beauty: Aesthetics and Innovation in Fashion, Mears, Patricia, 97803001American Beauty: Aesthetics and Innovation in Fashion, Mears, Patricia, 97803001 $18.98
New ListingAmerican Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Limited Edition Packaging Awards Edition Widescreen)New ListingAmerican Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Limited Edition Packaging Awards Edition Widescreen) $6.99 American Beauty Rose Panel Pink 59x59 587943. American Beauty Rose by OasisAmerican Beauty Rose Panel Pink 59x59 587943. American Beauty Rose by Oasis $28.99
New ListingVintage American Beauty by Elgin American Powder Mirror Compact – Floral EtchedNew ListingVintage American Beauty by Elgin American Powder Mirror Compact – Floral Etched $25.00 67D Paragon American Beauty Soldering Iron Tip Nos67D Paragon American Beauty Soldering Iron Tip Nos $4.80
American Beauty 507 Soldering Iron Tip - Screwdriver Style - 1/8" X 2-1/4"American Beauty 507 Soldering Iron Tip - Screwdriver Style - 1/8" X 2-1/4" $16.79 American Beauty (1999) 8x10 black & white movie photo #nnAmerican Beauty (1999) 8x10 black & white movie photo #nn $7.99
Color 35mm Slide American Beauty Spacey Birch Suvari Bening Movie Press PhotoColor 35mm Slide American Beauty Spacey Birch Suvari Bening Movie Press Photo $35.00 American Beauty: William Carlos - Paperback, by Tapscott Stephen - AcceptableAmerican Beauty: William Carlos - Paperback, by Tapscott Stephen - Acceptable $11.14
American Beauty (1999) - Dvd - Very Good golden Slip coverAmerican Beauty (1999) - Dvd - Very Good golden Slip cover $8.98 American Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Limited Edition Awards Edition Widescreen) WatermarkAmerican Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Limited Edition Awards Edition Widescreen) Watermark $11.00
New American Beauty Perfectly Even Foundation 08 Medium/CoolNew American Beauty Perfectly Even Foundation 08 Medium/Cool $25.00 American Beauty (A-List, Book 7) - Paperback By Dean, Zoey - Very GoodAmerican Beauty (A-List, Book 7) - Paperback By Dean, Zoey - Very Good $4.01
Grateful Dead american beauty ( rock ) warner 1893 greenGrateful Dead american beauty ( rock ) warner 1893 green $51.44 An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of.An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of. $6.31
Rare American Beauty Luxurious Lather Creamy Face Body Cleanser 150ml UsaRare American Beauty Luxurious Lather Creamy Face Body Cleanser 150ml Usa $87.50 American Beauty (Dvd, 1999, Widescreen) with InsertAmerican Beauty (Dvd, 1999, Widescreen) with Insert $5.99
American Beauty (1999) Video Poster, Original, Ss, Unused, Vg, RolledAmerican Beauty (1999) Video Poster, Original, Ss, Unused, Vg, Rolled $24.99 New ListingVintage American Beauty 200 Watt Soldering Iron Cat Model # 3158New ListingVintage American Beauty 200 Watt Soldering Iron Cat Model # 3158 $45.00
Grateful Dead - American Beauty Syf 6" lot sticker, Jgb, SyfGrateful Dead - American Beauty Syf 6" lot sticker, Jgb, Syf $8.00 American Beauty (Dvd, 2000, The Awards Edition, Widescreen)American Beauty (Dvd, 2000, The Awards Edition, Widescreen) $3.15
American Beauty Tools 9275-200 Soldering Iron Heating Element,200WAmerican Beauty Tools 9275-200 Soldering Iron Heating Element,200W $79.49 American Beauty (Vhs, 2000, Spanish Subtitled)American Beauty (Vhs, 2000, Spanish Subtitled) $5.37
American Beauty Dvd Movie 2000 The Awards Edition Widescreen New In PlasticAmerican Beauty Dvd Movie 2000 The Awards Edition Widescreen New In Plastic $3.99 American Beauty 1300 Zig Zag Sewing Machine Instructions Spiral Bound ReprintAmerican Beauty 1300 Zig Zag Sewing Machine Instructions Spiral Bound Reprint $19.95
Vintage American Beauty Recipes American Beauty Macaroni Company Usa CookbookVintage American Beauty Recipes American Beauty Macaroni Company Usa Cookbook $8.49 American Beauty Rose Holmes & Edwards Silverplate TeaspoonAmerican Beauty Rose Holmes & Edwards Silverplate Teaspoon $11.99
Affliction American Beauty Pullover Sweatshirt Mock Neck Acid Wash Floral M NewAffliction American Beauty Pullover Sweatshirt Mock Neck Acid Wash Floral M New $49.95 American Beauty The Awards Edition Dvd(2000 Dreamworks)American Beauty The Awards Edition Dvd(2000 Dreamworks) $6.00
American Beauty Dvd Region 2 & 4American Beauty Dvd Region 2 & 4 $8.99 New ListingAmerican Beauty [Bonus Tracks] by Grateful Dead: UsedNew ListingAmerican Beauty [Bonus Tracks] by Grateful Dead: Used $9.07
New ListingNew, Sealed American Black Beauty - Dean Stockwell - Vhs, 2003 clamshell caseNew ListingNew, Sealed American Black Beauty - Dean Stockwell - Vhs, 2003 clamshell case $8.99 American Beauty Dvd / Kevin Spacey / Ships free Same Day with TrackingAmerican Beauty Dvd / Kevin Spacey / Ships free Same Day with Tracking $7.59
Irwin, McBride, Catherwood & Co. for American Beauty brand Japan TeaIrwin, McBride, Catherwood & Co. for American Beauty brand Japan Tea $9.99 Self Fertile Dragon Fruit 3-4’ tall plant well rooted - American BeautySelf Fertile Dragon Fruit 3-4’ tall plant well rooted - American Beauty $37.67
Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy - Hardcover - GoodAgent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy - Hardcover - Good $6.57 American Beauty - Dvd - New / Sealed - Romantic Drama - Kevin Spacey - EditionAmerican Beauty - Dvd - New / Sealed - Romantic Drama - Kevin Spacey - Edition $9.95
American Beauty Inked Ribbon Tin NoiselessAmerican Beauty Inked Ribbon Tin Noiseless $14.00 Fall Out Boy - American Beauty/American Psycho - Fall Out Boy Cd Iivg The FastFall Out Boy - American Beauty/American Psycho - Fall Out Boy Cd Iivg The Fast $8.65
American Beauty (Dvd , 2000)American Beauty (Dvd , 2000) $5.95 American Beauty Luxury For Lids Duo ~23 Vintage Rose~ 0.12 Oz (Nwob) *Very Rare*American Beauty Luxury For Lids Duo ~23 Vintage Rose~ 0.12 Oz (Nwob) *Very Rare* $16.06
Deadly American Beauty by Glatt, JohnDeadly American Beauty by Glatt, John $9.32 American Beauty Rose Panel Yellow 59x59 587944. American Beauty Rose by OasisAmerican Beauty Rose Panel Yellow 59x59 587944. American Beauty Rose by Oasis $28.99
American beauty - Zoey DeanAmerican beauty - Zoey Dean $5.19 American Black Beauty (Dvd, 2005)American Black Beauty (Dvd, 2005) $1.50
Dragon Fruit Cuttings - Multiple Varieties - 13" - 17” HiDragon Fruit Cuttings - Multiple Varieties - 13" - 17” Hi $5.99 to American Beauty lobby card : original french still #4 - Kevin SpaceyAmerican Beauty lobby card : original french still #4 - Kevin Spacey $8.99
American Beauty by Zoey Dean (2006, Paperback, Very Good)American Beauty by Zoey Dean (2006, Paperback, Very Good) $1.99 American Beauty Cd New Sealed Free ShippingAmerican Beauty Cd New Sealed Free Shipping $13.51
617 Paragon Tip American Beauty 1 Pc Nos617 Paragon Tip American Beauty 1 Pc Nos $4.00 American Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Limited Edition Packaging Awards Edt) Pre-Owned GoodAmerican Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Limited Edition Packaging Awards Edt) Pre-Owned Good $3.50
American Beauty DvdAmerican Beauty Dvd $3.00 New ListingGrateful Dead "American Beauty" Green Lbl 1St Press Ex Cond Psychedelic Rock LpNew ListingGrateful Dead "American Beauty" Green Lbl 1St Press Ex Cond Psychedelic Rock Lp $24.99
American Beauty (1999) Dvd - Annette Benning - Kevin Spacey- Sam MendesAmerican Beauty (1999) Dvd - Annette Benning - Kevin Spacey- Sam Mendes $4.99 American Beauty Beloved Red Rose For Women -1.7 Oz Perfume Spray-Rare-No Box/CapAmerican Beauty Beloved Red Rose For Women -1.7 Oz Perfume Spray-Rare-No Box/Cap $44.95
American Beauty Flag Panel Riley Blake Designs- 36"x43.5", Digitally Printed -American Beauty Flag Panel Riley Blake Designs- 36"x43.5", Digitally Printed - $10.00 Oneida American Beauty Casual Settings 4 Soup Bowls 6 1/4" Red BandOneida American Beauty Casual Settings 4 Soup Bowls 6 1/4" Red Band $16.00
American Beauty 1999 Dvd Awards Edition Widescreen 5 Academy Awards Best PictureAmerican Beauty 1999 Dvd Awards Edition Widescreen 5 Academy Awards Best Picture $9.99 American Beauty Dvd MovieAmerican Beauty Dvd Movie $8.99
American Beauty Dvd (Amazing Dvd In Perfect Condition!Disc And Original Case AllAmerican Beauty Dvd (Amazing Dvd In Perfect Condition!Disc And Original Case All $4.99 American Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Widescreen)American Beauty (Dvd, 2000, Widescreen) $7.49
American Beauty magazine February 1955American Beauty magazine February 1955 $14.99 Miss All American Beauty (Dvd, 2003)Miss All American Beauty (Dvd, 2003) $2.79
Dogfish Head Brewery Grateful Dead American Beauty Record Store Day StickerDogfish Head Brewery Grateful Dead American Beauty Record Store Day Sticker $5.49 American Beauty (The Awards Edition) Free Shipping!American Beauty (The Awards Edition) Free Shipping! $6.50
American Beauty (1999)(Dvd, 2011) W/SleeveAmerican Beauty (1999)(Dvd, 2011) W/Sleeve $2.99 Dorothy Dandridge - An American Beauty (Dvd, 2003)Dorothy Dandridge - An American Beauty (Dvd, 2003) $10.39
Shackman American Beauty Paper Dolls NewShackman American Beauty Paper Dolls New $14.00 The Grateful Dead American Beauty (Cd) 50th Anniversary Album DigipakThe Grateful Dead American Beauty (Cd) 50th Anniversary Album Digipak $14.15
American Beauty 10542 1.5"L Steel Conical Solder Electrod,Pk6 5Zhe4American Beauty 10542 1.5"L Steel Conical Solder Electrod,Pk6 5Zhe4 $29.64 An American Beauty by Shana Abé *Paperback *New *Actual Book PicturedAn American Beauty by Shana Abé *Paperback *New *Actual Book Pictured $9.00
American Beauty by Grateful Dead Cd Bmg Record Club Issue Very GoodAmerican Beauty by Grateful Dead Cd Bmg Record Club Issue Very Good $12.00 American Beauty (Vhs, 2000, 2-Tape Set, Awards Edition)American Beauty (Vhs, 2000, 2-Tape Set, Awards Edition) $11.99
American Beauty Hardcover Lois W. BannerAmerican Beauty Hardcover Lois W. Banner $6.88 American Beauty Tools 43C Soldering Tip, Chisel, 4-3/8 In Length, 0.375 InAmerican Beauty Tools 43C Soldering Tip, Chisel, 4-3/8 In Length, 0.375 In $20.35
The Grateful Dead American Beauty (Exclusive, Vinyl) (Limeade Colored Vinyl) RecThe Grateful Dead American Beauty (Exclusive, Vinyl) (Limeade Colored Vinyl) Rec $35.44 Paducah, Ky Yopp Seed Company American Beauty Corn Meal BagPaducah, Ky Yopp Seed Company American Beauty Corn Meal Bag $1.00
An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story - GoodAn American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story - Good $4.89 Vintage American Beauty Recipes American Beauty Macaroni Company Cookbook A4Vintage American Beauty Recipes American Beauty Macaroni Company Cookbook A4 $5.00
Dnd Dc Soak Off Gel Polish Duo #001 - #319 .6oz Led/Uv New - Pick Any ColorDnd Dc Soak Off Gel Polish Duo #001 - #319 .6oz Led/Uv New - Pick Any Color $8.00 to American Beauty 05 Golden Sage Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow New Full SizeAmerican Beauty 05 Golden Sage Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow New Full Size $12.99
New ListingLeeWards American Beauty Rose Crewel Pillow Creative Embroidery Pillow Kit 17”New ListingLeeWards American Beauty Rose Crewel Pillow Creative Embroidery Pillow Kit 17” $12.99 American Beauty (Dvd, 2013) Disc OnlyAmerican Beauty (Dvd, 2013) Disc Only $1.00
Vhs Tape Movie American Beauty Double VideocassetteVhs Tape Movie American Beauty Double Videocassette $3.99 3/8" Chisel Tip for American Beauty 3138 Soldering Iron (100W/150W/175W) #43C3/8" Chisel Tip for American Beauty 3138 Soldering Iron (100W/150W/175W) #43C $17.49
Rare American Beauty All Is Forgiven Skin Repair Concentrate 30ml UsaRare American Beauty All Is Forgiven Skin Repair Concentrate 30ml Usa $45.50 American Beauty Thermostat AssemblyAmerican Beauty Thermostat Assembly $23.74
Grateful Dead American Beauty Lp (2020) New Shrink Wrap Tear Fruit Punch VinylGrateful Dead American Beauty Lp (2020) New Shrink Wrap Tear Fruit Punch Vinyl $22.95 American Beauty [10/30] New VinylAmerican Beauty [10/30] New Vinyl $29.45
Grateful Dead - American Beauty in Stone 11"x17" lot print, Shrine of the DeadGrateful Dead - American Beauty in Stone 11"x17" lot print, Shrine of the Dead $30.00 5 Drama Bundle Movie (Dvd 2018) New Sealed Flight,American Beauty, Into The Wild5 Drama Bundle Movie (Dvd 2018) New Sealed Flight,American Beauty, Into The Wild $9.95
American Beauty Awards Edition Dvd Disc Only Used Tested Freeship No TrackingAmerican Beauty Awards Edition Dvd Disc Only Used Tested Freeship No Tracking $2.41 American Beauty by Barrett, Mary EllinAmerican Beauty by Barrett, Mary Ellin $7.00
American Beauty (1999) Kevin Spacey Blu-Ray New (Usa Compatible)American Beauty (1999) Kevin Spacey Blu-Ray New (Usa Compatible) $16.99 Grateful Dead T-Shirt American Beauty Album Rose Gold Frame Vintage Festival TeeGrateful Dead T-Shirt American Beauty Album Rose Gold Frame Vintage Festival Tee $13.81 to
American Beauty Wonderful Perfume Spray 1.7 oz New Rare DamagedAmerican Beauty Wonderful Perfume Spray 1.7 oz New Rare Damaged $59.99 American Beauty, Vhs, DreamWorks Picture Llc, 1999American Beauty, Vhs, DreamWorks Picture Llc, 1999 $5.00
Plate Book Knight Bostwick Color Flowers Shrubs Trees American Beauty Rose VtgPlate Book Knight Bostwick Color Flowers Shrubs Trees American Beauty Rose Vtg $49.99 American Beauty / The Virgin SuiAmerican Beauty / The Virgin Sui $6.91
Click to see more American Beauty items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 06/27/25 6:01am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay