How American Beauty Took the Oscars by Storm

[@jonathandooley5872]

In 1999, I thought it was ground-breaking. However, after a divorce 10 years later, it touched me on such an emotional level. Brilliant!

[@albalbuena6478]

I love AMERICAN BEAUTY! The scene when Annette Bening goes to the closet and clutches Lester’s clothes gets me every time. It’s shows that she really did love him. The monologue at the end is wonderfully written. I cry every time that I see this movie.

[@topogigio2879]

I didn't get that at all. She's unbelievably fake, shallow woman and now her world was falling apart. That's it.

[@benjaminhilado4344]

Yes loooved that

[@simonsmatthew]

I watched American Beauty in 1999 as a 29 year old. I thought it was a landmark film, which I am sure still holds up today. Spacey's performance was superb. I found it daringly honest. The fact it won best picture was something that bodes well for the Academy. I know from a friend of mine who writes film scores that this score was a game changer. Scores have never been the same since. I suspect that also applies to other aspects of the film.

[@CoryAkabueze]

American beauty was a masterpiece

[@roxy5588]

I love this movie. American Beauty is a wonderful film, Kevin Spacey was awesome in this film. It deserved all of its awards.

[@Leo-pt9dm]

I fcking love this movie! Sad to see the hate for it.

[@michelehamilton961]

@Leo-pt9dm I don’t think most people hate it. I do think that people think it is overrated especially since films like Fight Club and The Matrix have gone up not only in popularity but in terms of respect. I do feel the female characters are really badly written and thought that even back then. The score (which should have won and cinematography are still great.

[@capkronos00]

@@michelehamilton961 In my opinion, Fight Club and The Matrix are two of the most overrated movies EVER.

[@markatto33]

​@@capkronos00specially matrix. A film with a amazing premise and cool visuals, nothing more

[@BFA100]

American Beauty was the right choice for Best Picture that year, it would have been a major catastrophe if The Cider House Rules had won, if it had I would have ranked that in the category of one of the Best Picture's Worst Pictures ever. American Beauty is still my favorite film from 1999 and I still stand by it no matter what happened with Kevin Spacey years later.

[@topogigio2879]

The only genuinely great movie nominated was THE INSIDER. The other four range from a little over-rated (THE SIXTH SENSE) to jaw-droppingly awful (THE GREEN MILE). AMERICAN BEAUTY and THE CIDER HOUSE RULE are just over-rated.

[@BFA100]

@@topogigio2879 I do agree with The Sixth Sense and The Cider House Rules being overrated but, not American Beauty and The Green Mile was not awful.

[@ChrolliForever]

Same.

[@davidpunzalan7354]

I agree with everything you said 100%! And regarding the other nominees, I agree that "The Insider" along with "American Beauty" were the only deserving nominees that year. "The Green Mile" and "The Sixth Sense" were good but not Best Picture worthy. "The Cider House Rules" is one of the worst to ever be nominated in that category, hands down. In addition to those 2 worthy nominees mentioned above, I also have "All About My Mother," "Being John Malkovich," and "The Iron Giant" on my personal list that year

[@filmfreak21]

Its a travesty that Thomas Newman does not have an oscar

[@greggilbert7529]

Saw American Beauty 4 times in theaters and still love it today. The Cider House Rules is garbage and should have Bern replaced with Election.

[@axr7149]

Believe it or not, the film narrowly missed out on winning Best Actress to complete the Big 5 categories sweep. Had it won, AMERICAN BEAUTY would’ve been the first film in Oscars history to win ORIGINAL Screenplay as part of the Big 5 (the 3 films to pull it off all won Adapted) as well as the first movie to win the Big 5 PLUS another category (Cinematography in this case). Poor Annette Bening, who is still Oscarless after 5 nominations.

[@ChrolliForever]

And she was veryyyy close at winning, too. She won holen and sag and I think Bafta, too. Hilary Globe Drama, but to BR fairly she was the rightful Winner the First time. IT was also a great win to Support the small movie. American Beauty was big enough with the 5 wins.

[@-Olea-]

...which was discussed in the video.

[@directorGMedia]

At this point in his career, give Thomas Newman an Honorary Oscar! 🏆🎞️

[@axr7149]

He is now tied for most Oscar nominations without wins by any musician. He ties Alex North and (believe it or not) Diane Warren.

[@ms13909]

I saw this when I was in college and I loved the satire. 25 years later as a dad in the suburbs I can say it is a spot on depiction of the American suburbs. I loved Annette’s performance here. She crafted a very unlikeable shrew of a character but damn do you feel sorry for her at the end. That’s good acting. Gorgeous cinematography too.

[@OakSky]

It's still my favorite movie of all time

[@michelehamilton961]

I think a big issue is so many great films that year: BJM, Magnolia, The Insider, Boys Don’t Cry. When you compare American Beauty to these really creative films it comes up short but it is way better than Cider House Rules.

[@flmbyz]

If ever there was a year where there needed to be ten nominees, it was 1999.

[@mr.introvert6173]

I loved this movie in my 14 years age, l loved to watch this at 18 age. I still 28 years age,(watching) revisit again and again, without decreasing that freshness ,AMERICAN BEAUTY, truely deserved best picture oscar.❤️❤️😘❤️❤️🥰🥰. Thanks to this movie a lot for making me look my life closer😘. 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@cpcathy]

I love this movie, I know it’s an unpopular opinion. How Thomas Newman didn’t win for score is crazy to me.

[@ronniedeshe5253]

It's not an unpopular opinion in the slightest - just look at all the comments.

[@riotbunny]

Even in 1999, Lester Burnam's character had creepy elements. But, I think in the '90s people were a lot less judgmental of characters in films. Characters having flaws is some ways made them more endearing and relatable. These days filmmakers seem too conscious of how the Internet will react and too many characters lack sophistication.

[@liteflightify]

Lester’s actions aren’t the issue itself, at least not my issue. The problem is that they have to make everyone around him practically insane to justify his behaviors. While he’s painted as a hero for quitting his job without consulting his wife and for turning down hooking up with a teenage girl just because she said she’s a virgin. It’s the framework around Lester that’s the problem.

[@riotbunny]

@@liteflightify I can see your point, but the film is supposed to be entertaining, so I think it's OK to have a bit of craziness. Lester is a flawed character, but the one heroic thing about him is that he's performing a prison break. His job and his controlling wife are slowly killing him. His decision to quit without consulting his wife makes sense for the character. His decision not to have sex with a teenage girl is about reality taking over from his fantasies. The positive thing is that even when reality dawns on him, he still feels happy.

[@raulgama2579]

One of the best best picture winners.. should’ve repeated the supporting actors sweep as Bafta.. Wes Bentley is brilliant

[@davidpunzalan7354]

Yes! Bentley was robbed of a nomination! He was miles better than half of the nominees that year!

[@UltimateAwe]

Still in my Top 10 of all-time...have probably seen it a dozen times.

[@TheCatIndeed]

Thora Birch as Jane Burnham is my favorite part of the movie, and I think it’s really weird she didn’t get an Oscar nomination. She’s so compelling, full of teen angst and clearly longing for something more in her life. Plus her romance with Ricky is one of the only plotlines in the movie with a happy ending! Best Supporting Actress was pretty competitive that year, and I think she was overlooked because she was young and a newcomer. I would’ve removed Samantha Morton for Sweet and Lowdown, which isn’t a very memorable Woody Allen film, and nominated Thora Birch for American Beauty.

[@taralucas7172]

I agree. Thora Birch was so good that none of it felt like “acting”. Her character was the most genuine in the whole movie

[@eamonndeane587]

​@taralucas7172 It's a shame Dungeons and Dragons derailed her Career.

[@ronniedeshe5253]

American Beauty was never "Extremely Divisive" as you put it, and still remains a fantastic film, even today.

[@beto1744]

People started a trend to hate this movie but It Is still one of My favorite films of all Time and I'm happy It won! Deal with it people

[@mr.introvert6173]

❤️❤️❤️

[@lonellfletcher]

I feel like people only hate it because of Spacey. The film and what it was saying didn't change. Its all just BS.

[@liteflightify]

Out of the nominees it’s only second to The Sixth Sense. But it’s still probably not a top 10 movie of 1999.

[@oscarman42]

I thought Allison Janney deserved recognition for a small, but memorable performance.

[@BFA100]

She was pretty quiet for most of the scenes and even though that was my favorite film of 1999, I never thought at all that she should have been a contender.

[@maxfieldfulton]

I would have nominated her for Drop Dead Gorgeous that year! But between that, American Beauty, and The West Wing in ‘99-what range!

[@eamonndeane587]

​@@maxfieldfultonThat and she was also in The Ice Storm as well that Matt mentioned in the video.

[@BFA100]

@@eamonndeane587 The Ice Storm came out in 1997.

[@eamonndeane587]

@@BFA100 I know.

[@billcook4768]

I still love the Kevin Spacey mid-life crisis story. The watch a bag blow in wind stuff… what were we thinking?

[@cinemacola6398]

I feel exactly the same way about the movie now as opposed to back then. Saw it when I was 19 and loved it, however , I tried to watch it again when I was 25 and it didn't hold up for me. I think this is a movie you have to watch at just the right time in your life for it to hit.

[@can72287]

See I agree with you. And so does the host. But then we have to ask ourselves why did it resonate with us all in our youth/teenage years but not as we became older people…when conventional wisdom would suggest now is the time we should have resonated with it 🤔

[@liteflightify]

It’s a very entertaining movie. It was one of my favorite movies when I was a teenager. And it’s technically on point. The cinematography, score, editing, cast- it’s all there. So, it’s hard to say its wins were bad. It’s just that was such a strong year for American movies, and American Beauty does not standout that much years later. The film is both a bit too sitcom-y and too sentimental for what it’s aiming to be. While portraying Lester as being the only person with some sense- a man who almost hooks up with his daughter’s teenage friend and only stops because she says she’s a virgin- is at the very least problematic.

[@gabbyb7347]

The Red Violin is a great movie. I'm glad with that movie being an Oscar winner

[@barttanner8162]

I thought the movie was a satire about the American dream gone wrong.

[@can72287]

That’s probably why it didn’t age well. At the time it was ground breaking; but then we sorta seen a lot of this subject in the past 20 years.

[@champreviewer5572]

Can you do an elusive Oscar video about Thomas Newman? I hope you can cover other notable people like him, as well as maybe Greta Gerwig and Jason Reitman.

[@rebeccag8589]

Thomas Newman is a fantastic composer. His score for Little Women is one of my favorite film scores.

[@eamonndeane587]

​@rebeccag8589 His Theme for Six Feet Under is also one of the Best Opening themes for a TV Show ever made.

[@flmbyz]

@@rebeccag8589His first year nominated, he was a double nominee. For Little Women AND The Shawshank Redemption.

[@sellomokadikwa3219]

The creation of the hit TV show Desperate Housewives was partly inspired by this movie, and the show itself inspired other shows, including in reality tv (The Real Housewives of..., etc.). For that reason, I think the script was pretty much on point as it tapped into something audiences wanted to see more of, which was to 'look closer' at what was happening in the suburbs.

[@Gnator8t4]

Re-watched a couple months ago. I think it's a little dated in how it's in a weird middle ground between comedy and drama, but I actually think that's what makes it an interesting Best Picture winner. I do find it quite engrossing, and separating art from the artist, I do think Kevin Spacey gives a great performance in it.

[@butitsgoogleimages8303]

This is how I feel about Kramer vs. Kramer…you rewatch it and it's a bunch of tell-don't-show so much so that it rings shallow.

[@alankardissi2519]

Red Violin is a masterpiece !

[@michaelgreisinger5255]

I remember when my dad & I went to see American Beauty at the theater. I literally predicted it would sweep the Oscars when we were getting in the car. I still say Annette Benning was robbed. I don't allow Spacey's nonsense affect my opinion of his talent.

[@saint18ruben]

This movie means a lot to me, after watching this film I decided to come out and live my life as a gay man, it was a long journey but this movie halped to overcome some existencial issues.

[@MJC_227]

I feel like the way you feel about American Beauty, is similar to how I view "Desperate Housewives." Really groundbreaking and incredible at the time, but hasn't aged super well and not as great as at first glance. Definitely a moment of time thing.

[@mrbaumgarten1279]

I feel exactly the same as you guys. I was 20 when it came out and LOVED IT. One of my favs. Watch it now, I think its okay, not great, and honestly a littke creepy after Spacey's real life shennanigans

[@richardpodnar5039]

You two young gentlemen's encyclopedic knowledge of cinema is always so impressive😊❤❤

[@johnyzero2000]

My pick would have been for Richard Farnsworth in The Straight Story.

[@michelehamilton961]

@johnyzero2000 He was so great in that. I was crying.

[@rebeccag8589]

He moved me to tears in that. I also loved him in Anne of Green Gables, which was geared towards older children but really holds up for adults too, in my opinion. And he made me cry in that too.

[@johnyzero2000]

@@rebeccag8589 Same here, he was a damn good actor who made it look easy.

[@nguyenlink2510]

Whoever dislikes this film is my enemy

[@Anastasiabeaverhausen275]

My favorite movie of all time The plastic bag floating in the air 😢

[@brettdarling1178]

The plastic bag should have gotten a nomination, for Best Trash Piece in the Wind. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@user-friendly-b6q]

I don't understand why some people look down on Snow Falling On Cedars. It is a stunning movie, with Robert Richardson cinematography, among other things.

[@victor83]

American Beauty was the first Oscar movie which I watch at my PC from a bootleg CD on my 17 inch heavy monitor. I really thought it was a very good movie. My top 10 movies from 1999 (Matrix is good for me, not great, so it's not in this list) are: 1) Fight Club, 2) The Iron Giant, 3) Toy Story 2, 4) The Straight Story, 5) Magnolia, 6) South Park, 7) American Beauty, 8) Three Kings, 9) Ravenous, 10) Boys Don't Cry.

[@vudujl83]

back in ‘99 when I first saw the trailer for AB I didn’t really understand what it was supposed to be and had no interest in seeing it…later saw it on TV and thought it was great, though today I admittedly am not jumping at the chance to watch it again

[@samanthasteighner1999]

I’m in the same boat. This was my favorite movie of all time next to Forrest Gump… but I can easily say Green Mile is a much better film along with plenty of others that year

[@kylem2712]

Also i LOVED Jim Carrey in "Man on the moon." The movie is so so, (although a guilty pleasure for me) but no doubt the performance was fantastic.

[@ZlatanHu.]

It's an outstanding film, brutally honest and cynical which is for many moviegoers nowadays a big no go. It's a contemporary film from the 90s, 'it didn't age well' comments are pretty irrational.. and also middle-age crisis hasn't changed that much too 😂 plus the technical aspects, performances, score... this is a masterpiece! It became suddenly pretty popular to bash it tho, since 2017 I think 🤐

[@user-CatherineDodd]

I love Farnsworth indelible performance in "The Straight Story".

[@zacharyantle7940]

I feel like this movie is in a weird way more relevant now than it used to be, at least as far as the idea of self actualization during a period where a lot of stuff feels meaningless and you’re alienated. Especially these days.

[@samuelcroft3478]

It's interesting to me that you mention that the The Ice Storm and Happiness received zero noms while American Beauty cleaned up. I'm not surprised at all by this, because I've always thought of American Beauty as basically the 'lite' version of those two films, which are, IMO, edgier, more ambiguous in their themes, and overall just better made. Happiness in particular is a masterpiece, and a great example of a film that successfully juggles disparate tones; on the other hand, I completely agree with Cody's observation that American Beauty is a tonal mess. It's also crazy to me that the race between Bening and Swank is seen as such a close one. Swank's performance is one of the greatest of all time, while Bening is almost embarrassingly over-the-top in her portrayal of Carolyn, who is a complete and utter caricature, and such a shrewish hysterical harridan that I'd say it borders on sexist (although I'd argue that this is more of a direction/screenplay issue, rather than Bening's fault specifically).

[@ms13909]

Aside from the final ten minutes of the film - Boys Don’t Cry is a glorified lifetime movie. Annette’s portrayal of a suburban mom was brilliant. She’s the original Karen. You have no idea how many Carolyn Burnhams exist in todays American burbs.

[@waynedexter]

Do we think “The Matrix” could’ve gotten a best picture nomination if there were 10 slots instead of 5?

[@michelehamilton961]

@waynedexter Absolutely, with 10 slots. It won 3 of it’s noms I think and I remember a lot of enthusiasm for the wins.

[@filippos13]

Probably not. The Academy has an aversion for anything that isn't a drama in Best Picture.

[@waynedexter]

@@michelehamilton961 Do think If today’s academy (more diverse supposedly) existed in 1999 “The Matrix” would’ve gotten into best picture?

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@waynedexter no

[@waynedexter]

@@lexkanyima2195 why not?

[@marshalpatrick9132]

I paused the video to tell you to watch The Red Violin asap…it’s wonderful!

[@michelehamilton961]

@@marshalpatrick9132 i remember being very moved by it

[@zman1982]

There are at least two movies that deserved to be nominated and replace Cider House Rules and maybe the Green Mile and that is Fight Club and maybe The Matrix. I would at least replace Cider House Rules with Fight Club. The Matrix will a magnificent film its sequels make me a little reluctant to put on the list.

[@suarezguy]

Oscars rarely like, appreciate big action movies like The Matrix aside from technical categories.

[@zman1982]

@@suarezguy I am thinking also another film missing from this list that deserved an Oscar for Best Picture is Being John Malchovich. I could definetely see that replacing Green Mile.

[@DavidLux]

Do you ever talk to people who actually worked in the industry at the time?

[@benjaminhilado4344]

The Red Violin is soooo good... how can u guys not have watched that

[@pophector]

Great recap! I also agree that this was a movie that was really cool to watch during my adolescence but is incredibly creepy to watch now. I do think a win for Annette Bening would have held up really well, as she was fantastic in this, was really close to win with the SAG and BAFTA wins, and Swank would win a second time for Million Dollar Baby. I also would have picked The Sixth Sense to win Best Picture, but agree that this holds up better than The Cider House Rules. Thanks again, Brian 🎉

[@suarezguy]

I think Spacey's role, also some other elements were ALWAYS *meant* to feel at least a little creepy but that doesn't make it flawed or bad.

[@liteflightify]

I don’t think Annette Bening is quite comparable to Viola in Fences. Viola dominates the second half of that movie. And so much of that film revolves around Denzel and Viola interactions. American Beauty is very much an ensemble once you get past Lester. And Annette doesn’t have much to do in the third act. As great as Swank was in Boys Don’t Cry, I think Bening mostly lost because of her screen time.

[@chrisjacobsen5558]

Honestly the red violins score is gorgeous

[@singstreetcar5881]

Imagine if the matrix won best picture A ground breaking best picture win

[@MundoJuanci]

It's a fascinating time capsule of 1999. Glimpses of a society feeling empty and shallow while playing with other themes that are still prevalent like homophobia, sexual repression and society roles. I saw it for the first time in 2019, keep in mind, so im not nostalgic about it. Its not perfect by any means, it can be heavy handed and not as smart or subtle as it thinks it is, but I personally don't care. I love this movie, as imperfect as it is (specially considering who Kevin Spacey really is). Best picture of 1999? Not really, but I don't mind it won.

[@marrmart7690]

Amrican beauty Beauty film😍😍😍 The film start light black comedy about modern life But after that step by step Go deeper and deeper We discover the film so deep And so searious story and they shoked us in the end😲😍 Start as a comedy after we find the film dark tragedy case Amazing screenplay😍😍 What an amazing writer👏 He tell the audiance in his film the light comedy can be with important supject❤👍

[@Stefano.C]

I was definitley the right age when I first watched the film 15 years ago at age 15 when I was becoming a film buff. While I do give it kudos for getting me into films and still do today, I don't feel that I love it as much as I used to back then. I can still like Spacey as an actor, especially with American Beauty. That said, I was still weirded out by the intitial premise of his character back when I first watched the film.

[@jorgefelix9238]

This is not a ''fine'' movie - it's a great movie, you're just biased by the Kevin Spacey situation

[@mr.introvert6173]

True🤣👍

[@merveben4753]

saying the green mile is only talked about while people are talking about oscars is the most stupid take i've ever heard

[@jorgefelix9238]

Can't wait for the Brian/Cody joint announcement "we're happily together''

[@dogvom]

I think Richard Farnsworth was robbed at the Oscars. His performance in _The Straight Story_ is remarkable!

[@romenluna]

I LOVE THE "FAMILY GUY" PARODY OF THIS MOVIE

[@liteflightify]

I would be find with Swank playing that role in Boy Don’t Cry today. Even though Brandon Teena presented as male they never actually had reassignment surgery.

[@gregbarnes5326]

I've seen Snow Falling on Cedars. Ethan Hawke and Max Von Sydow. I recommend it.

[@eamonndeane587]

It also features a Pre Hadestown Reeve Carney as well.

[@filmfreak21]

Green mile is a masterpiece

[@bilaalbadurdeen2733]

Great Movie ❤ So many Hidden Details regarding to the life …

[@sammyfabelman]

This is a film that is impossible to make today. He says that although middle-class suburban life looks great from the outside, in fact, the appearance is completely fake. This movie is a satire, a black comedy. I am very pleased that Spielberg introduced us to Sam Mendes with this film.

[@user-friendly-b6q]

In a perfect world, or my perfect world, The Sixth Sense would have won . Thank you Brian and Cody .

[@brandonsytes8373]

What was CRIMINAL at the Oscars was Michael Caine beating Tom Cruise or even Jude Law.

[@suarezguy]

Watching it at 20, nearly just after high school, I thought it was quite good but not great (though with some great stuff in it), still feel that way, think some of it is now real underappreciated but it's general evaluation now is a lot closer to right.

[@SUK2293]

VG movie at the time. Director and actor. I've always thought of it as the spiritual sequel to The Graduate. And it also explains the behaviour 30 years on.

[@tristyevely3798]

The Life of David Gale is my favorite Kevin Spacey movie.

[@DavidLux]

The Spielberg quote about not changing a word in the script is odd considering there was a whole framing sequence in the original script that they scrapped. And Cider House Rules was never in second place for Best Picture. You might do well with some contemporary opinions.

[@johnnzboy]

It's 2.30am, gotta go to sleep, see Bryan's new drop... No, no, can't, gotta go to sleep... Just watch a few minutes then screen off... Cody? My man Cody's on here? Count me in for the next 30 minutes :)

[@johnnzboy]

I particularly resent The Cider House Rules for stealing the Best Supporting Actor Oscar from Tom Cruise - I don't particularly like Cruise but he definitely deserved to win that year and especially over such an anodyne role for Michael Caine.

[@thankyoujodi]

Don't disrespect Penn like that. He's so good in sweet and lowdown.

[@sweetbutterbaby]

Had the Globes gave Annette the win she would have edged Hilary out. Don’t know why it was submitted as a Drama, though. Btw, you guys forgot to include the controversial LA Times Oscar poll that had Annette as the favorite.

[@gabbyb7347]

I'm ok with this being in drama. Toy Story winning Best Picture was amazing

[@johndebono1870]

It's tough to say since 1999 was such an incredible movie year that you could make a completely different best picture list and no one would bat an eye(The Matrix, Magnolia, All About My Mother, Being John Malkovich, Boys Don't Cry and Election all would have been deserving nominees as well). Up until 2016-early 2017 I would have ranked American Beauty as middle of the pack in terms of Best Picture winners. It's a fairly conventional pick, but the performances and some great moments made it a respectable choice. The Kevin Spacey parallels makes it too weird for me to comfortably sit through now in all honesty (To the point where I was almost rooting for 1917 to win over Parasite just because I think Sam Mendes deserves better than to have his career highpoint tainted like that).

[@craigmmcgill]

Annette is only 28 mins of screentime. She would have been just fine is supporting.

[@Bringmethehorizondude]

I still like this movie. But, believe it or not, I have seen snow falling on cedars and it might actually be the most beautiful looking film from that year. Totally serious.

[@UESide]

The Red Violin is awesome! Watch it

[@ChrolliForever]

No mention about fight club? I think it should easily had beeen nominated for a bunch of oscars, especially Best picture, director, actor and supp. Actress.

[@LeoOrlando-yd2ut]

I still think it’s a great film, but looking back, I don’t like that a 16 year old female character was the object of desire. It’s creepy.

[@nguyenlink2510]

As long as the actress’ age is NOT actually 16 but a lot older that’ll be fine! We wouldn’t have horror movies sticking to your way of seeing things, these things also happen in real life!

[@ChrolliForever]

I saw the movie at least 30 times, often two times in a row, and its still a masterpiece. I dont see any flaws. Cant get the hate.

[@toplaycool21]

Kevin Spacey looks like the person who has a hired person to “touch” him at certain parts of the day to make sure his climax has been fulfilled.

[@Dim4323]

Also remember Family guy Did that spoof of American beauty

[@luisrizo8813]

This along with "3 billboards..." are so of the moment that they aged almost instantly.

[@Stefano.C]

I did love 3 billboards back when it came out years ago. It happened to be one of the few films that I felt deserved to have win some oscars back then

[@alpe1987]

AMERICAN BEAUTY is such a good film for its time. It’s not my kind of film but I get it

[@ioannaathousaki3480]

1999 great movie year!

[@MogueHorizon]

Guys it’s a pretty bad look commenting on 1999 not having seen The Red Violin. Even worse in blowing off John Corigliano who is *the* most historically significant composer still living.

[@ChrisWilson-d8k]

Even at the time I was appalled American Beauty got best picture, especially since THE ICE STORM which covered similar ground was so much better. I am smug with satisfaction that my original opinion is being validated as the years pass! LOL

[@prayashgiria]

If there’s one Oscar American Beauty deserved but didn’t get, it was Best Original Score. Thomas Newman’s work was groundbreaking, and it was a shame the Oscar went to the very safe Red Violin instead.

[@eamonndeane587]

Newman's score is the best thing about the film in my opinion.

[@myytchanneldinakoha8498]

No, it’s not obvious that Hilary Swank would not be doing Boys Don’t Cry nowadays.

[@stevenstevenson5303]

Poor Annette 😢

[@davy209]

It was probably the trash bag blowing in the wind that won Best Cinematography for “American Beauty”! 😂