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American Beauty (1999)
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British theatre director Sam Mendes made an astonishing film debut with this sublime black comedy about midlife crises, starring Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening as a bored couple in suburban America. The sexually frustrated Bening begins an affair with estate agent Peter Gallagher; Spacey, meanwhile, fantasises about Mena Suvari, a teenage friend of his daughter's. Their disparate needs make for a comic tragedy of misunderstanding that combines acute observations with side-splitting scenarios. This truly outstanding film (on which Steven Spielberg acted as an uncredited producer) deservedly picked up a clutch of Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actor for Spacey. LH
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| Contains violence, swearing, sex scenes, drug abuse, nudity. |
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Tell us what you think
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Running time
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116min
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Country of origin
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US
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Genre
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Black comedy
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Original language
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English
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Screenplay
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Alan Ball
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Theatrical distributor
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UIP
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UK cinema certificate
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18
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UK cinema release date
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January 2000
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| awards information |
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Award |
Category |
Name |
Nominee/Winner |
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| Academy 1999 |
Actor in a Leading Role |
Kevin Spacey |
Winner |
| Academy 1999 |
Actress in a Leading Role |
Annette Bening |
Nominee |
| Academy 1999 |
Best Picture |
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Winner |
| Academy 1999 |
Directing |
Sam Mendes |
Winner |
| Academy 1999 |
Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) |
Alan Ball |
Winner |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
Best Film |
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Winner |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role |
Kevin Spacey |
Winner |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role |
Wes Bentley |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role |
Annette Bening |
Winner |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role |
Thora Birch |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role |
Mena Suvari |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
Best Screenplay (Original) |
Alan Ball |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 1999 |
The David Lean Award for the Best Achievement in Direction |
Sam Mendes |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 1999 |
Best Director Motion Picture |
Sam Mendes |
Winner |
| Golden Globe 1999 |
Best Motion Picture Drama |
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Winner |
| Golden Globe 1999 |
Best Screenplay Motion Picture |
Alan Ball |
Winner |
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