Template:Featured film (Week 43, 2006)



American Beauty is a 1999 drama film that explores themes of love, freedom, self liberation, family, and the American Dream. The film concentrates around the Burnham family of three, consisting of Lester (the protagonist), his wife Carolyn, and their teenage daughter Jane. This nucleus is then tied to other characters, including the next-door neighbours, the Fitts family.

The film explores themes such as modern Western societies' focus on physical appearance and success, to the detriment of people truly getting to know each other on a deeper level. One of the more well-advertised plotlines was the infatuation of the main character with his daughter's schoolfriend.

The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is regarded as one of the finest multi-Oscar-winning films ever.

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