American Beauty is a 1999 American
drama film directed by
Sam Mendes and written by
Alan Ball.
Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, a 42-year-old advertising executive who has a
midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela (
Mena Suvari).
Annette Bening co-stars as Lester's materialistic wife, Carolyn, and
Thora Birch plays their insecure daughter, Jane.
Wes Bentley,
Chris Cooper and
Allison Janney also feature. The film is described by academics as a satire of
American middle class notions of beauty and personal satisfaction; analysis has focused on the film's explorations of romantic and paternal love, sexuality, beauty, materialism, self-liberation, and redemption.