 American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam <unk> and written by Alan Ball . Kevin Spacey stars as Lester <unk> , a 42 @-@ year @-@ old advertising executive who has a <unk> crisis when he becomes infatuated with his <unk> daughter 's best friend , Angela ( Mena <unk> ) . <unk> <unk> co @-@ stars as Lester 's <unk> wife , Carolyn , and <unk> Birch plays their <unk> daughter , Jane . Wes Bentley , Chris Cooper , and Allison <unk> 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 <unk> of romantic , and paternal love , sexuality , beauty , <unk> , self @-@ liberation , and redemption . 
