American Beauty

is a 1999 drama film that explores themes of love, freedom, beauty, self-liberation, existentialism, the search for happiness, and family against the backdrop of modern American suburbia. The film was the screen debut for writer Alan Ball and director Sam Mendes and starred Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening; all four were nominated for Oscars. In 1999 it won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The score to American Beauty was composed by Thomas Newman. The soundtrack to the film also features songs by popular artists such as The Who, Free, eels, The Folk Implosion, Gomez, and Bob Dylan, as well as a cover version of The Beatles song "Because" performed by Elliott Smith.