AMERICAN BEAUTY

Kevin Spacey & Annett Bening

"Every day is the first day of the rest of your life, except your last."

PLOT:
A middle-aged surburban family man wakes up and begins to live - which upsets everyone's lives who are near to him.

Country: USA
Language: English
credits:
122:00 1999

Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: Alan Ball

CAST:
Kevin Spacey	....	Lester Burnham
Annette Bening	....	Carolyn Burnham
Thora Birch	....	Jane Burnham
Wes Bentley	....	Ricky Fitts
Mena Suvari	....	Angela Hayes
Chris Cooper	....	Col. Frank Fitts, USMC
Peter Gallagher	....	Buddy Kane
Allison Janney	....	Barbara Fitts
Scott Bakula	....	Jim Olmeyer
Sam Robards	....	Jim Berkley
Barry Del Sherman	....	Brad Dupree
	....

Credits from The Internet Movie Database

DISCOVERY:
I saw American Beauty based upon the strength of actor Kevin Spacey's prior performances.

OPENING SCENE:
Jane talking - while being video taped by Ricky.

QUOTES:
Lester Burnham: [narrating] It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself.

Brad Dupree: [reading Lester's job description] "My job consists of basically masking my contempt for the assholes in charge, and, at least once a day, retiring to the men's room so I can jerk off while I fantasize about a life that doesn't so closely resemble Hell." Well, you have absolutely no interest in saving yourself.
Lester Burnham: Brad, for 14 years I've been a whore for the advertising industry. The only way I could save myself now is if I start firebombing.

Ricky Fitts: My dad thinks I paid for all this with catering jobs. Never underestimate the power of denial.

STYLE:
Distinctly film noir à la Sunset Boulevard, with tones of sex, lies and video tape.

FILMSCORE:
Memorable and catchy soundtrack by Thomas Newman.

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