{"product_id":"american-beauty-the-shooting-script-9781557044044","title":"American Beauty: The Shooting Script","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn a typical suburban street in a typical suburban town, there is an ordinary family living the American dream. But look closer. Lester Burnham's wife, Carolyn, regards him with contempt, his daughter, Jane, thinks he's a loser, and his boss is positioning him for the ax.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCaptivated by Jane's sultry high school friend Angela, Lester decides to make a few changes in his mere existence--changes that are less mid-life crisis than a life reclaimed.The freer he gets, the happier he gets, which is even more maddening to his wife and daughter. Complicating matters, Lester finds an unexpected ally in Ricky, the teenage son of the new next-door neighbors, who sees life through a camera lens that has lately focused on Jane Burnham.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn pursuit of his new vision of the American dream, Lester is about to learn that the ultimate freedom comes at the ultimate price.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 1999 winner of five Academy Awards(R), including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, American Beauty boasts an accomplished cast led by two-time Academy Award(R) Best Actor winner Kevin Spacey (\u003cem\u003eThe Usual Suspects\u003c\/em\u003e) and Oscar(R) nominee Annette Bening (\u003cem\u003eThe Grifters\u003c\/em\u003e).The ensemble cast also includes Thora Birch (\u003cem\u003eGhost World\u003c\/em\u003e), Wes Bentley (\u003cem\u003eThe Claim\u003c\/em\u003e), Mena Suvari (\u003cem\u003eAmerican Pie\u003c\/em\u003e), Peter Gallagher (\u003cem\u003eMr. Deeds\u003c\/em\u003e), Allison Janney (NBC's \u003cem\u003eThe West Wing\u003c\/em\u003e), Scott Bakula (NBC's \u003cem\u003eQuantum Leap\u003c\/em\u003e), Sam Robards (\u003cem\u003eA.I.: Artificial Intelligence\u003c\/em\u003e), and Chris Cooper (\u003cem\u003eAdaptation\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmerican Beauty\u003c\/em\u003e marks the feature film directorial debut of award-winning theater director Sam Mendes (\u003cem\u003eThe Blue Room, Cabaret\u003c\/em\u003e). The film is produced by Dan Jinks (\u003cem\u003eNothing to Lose\u003c\/em\u003e) and Bruce Cohen (\u003cem\u003eThe Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas\u003c\/em\u003e) from an original screenplay by Alan Ball (HBO's \u003cem\u003eSix Feet Under\u003c\/em\u003e). Stan Wlodkowski (\u003cem\u003eOne Hour Photo\u003c\/em\u003e) and Alan Ball are the co-producers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBall, Alan:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eAcademy Award(R)-winner for Best Original Screenplay, screenwriter Alan Ball counts \u003cem\u003eAmerican Beauty\u003c\/em\u003e as his first produced feature film screenplay. He previously served as co-executive producer and writer for the television series Cybill, and also wrote for the sitcom \u003cem\u003eGrace Under Fire\u003c\/em\u003e. He was the creator of the critically acclaimed Golden Globe-winner for Best Television Series Six Feet Under, and served as the HBO series' executive producer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMendes, Sam:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eSam Mendes made his Oscar(R)-winning directorial debut with American Beauty. One of today's most celebrated theater directors, Mendes's stage triumphs include the Tony-award winning revival of Cabaret, The Blue Room, the revival of Gypsy, and the original stage production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. His latest films include Road to Perdition and Jarhead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Newmarket Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50473792373010,"sku":"9781557044044","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f38139d0-844f-4b2d-951b-8ef9eb73a503.jpg?v=1730202660","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/american-beauty-the-shooting-script-9781557044044","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}