Kevin Spacey on American Beauty (1999) – Midlife, Suburbia & Sam Mendes | Film Discussion

Kevin Spacey joins Charlie Rose for a deep dive into American Beauty (1999), his Oscar-winning turn as Lester Burnham, and the film’s darkly funny take on midlife rebellion and suburban illusions.

Spacey explains why he wanted to move away from “Machiavellian” roles like The Usual Suspects and Se7en into something more vulnerable, and how American Beauty completed a slow shift in his career. He talks about Lester as a man in a job he hates, a marriage that’s crumbling, and a life that no longer feels like his own—until a jolt of desire and desperation pushes him into a reckless “rebirth.”

He reflects on working with first-time film director Sam Mendes, the unaltered Alan Ball script, and legendary cinematographer Conrad Hall’s joy at finding the perfect shot. Spacey praises co-stars Annette Bening, Mena Suvari, Thora Birch, and Wes Bentley, and shares stories from rehearsal, reshoots, and the infamous dinner and drive-thru scenes.

Later, Spacey traces his own path: from high school with Val Kilmer and Mare Winningham, to Juilliard and Joseph Papp, to Broadway and breakout film roles like Glengarry Glen Ross, L.A. Confidential, and The Usual Suspects. He talks about learning to be part of a theater community, why he left Juilliard, the importance of a “slow burn” career, and why he believes American Beauty resonates with anyone who’s ever wanted to break out of their life and start over.

Chapters
00:00 Intro – Kevin Spacey & Film Clips
00:42 Setting Up American Beauty
01:16 Who Is Lester Burnham?
02:06 Midlife Rebellion vs “Crisis”
02:51 Moving Beyond the Dark Roles
03:37 The Career “Slow Burn”
04:19 Why American Beauty Felt Different
05:02 Meeting Sam Mendes & the Script
06:02 Conrad Hall & Finding the Shot
06:40 Playing Lester’s Physical Arc
07:31 Clip – Meeting Angela at the Gym
09:02 Watching Audiences React
09:34 Annette Bening as Carolyn
10:38 The Real Estate Rival & Affair
11:19 Clip – Busted at Mr. Smiley’s
12:10 Reshooting the Fast Food Scene
13:00 The Teen Trio – Birch, Suvari, Bentley
13:46 Clip – “I Quit My Job” Dinner Scene
15:20 Lester Taking Control of His Life
16:03 Themes – Perception & Hidden Lives
17:05 Suburbia, Marriage & Work
17:39 Why Non-American Directors Nail America
18:28 Rehearsal & Backstory Work
19:42 High School with Val Kilmer & Mare Winningham
20:32 Juilliard, Attitude & Leaving Early
21:32 Joseph Papp, Shakespeare & Getting Fired
23:03 First Broadway Breaks & Mike Nichols
24:18 Wiseguy and Early TV/Film Work
25:01 Choosing Verbal Kint in Usual Suspects
26:11 Building a Different Screen Image
27:08 Preparing (or Not) for Lester
28:01 Trusting the Director’s Vision
29:02 Rehearsal, Cut Scenes & Flying On Wires
30:03 Why a “Slow Burn” Career Helped
31:06 Closing – Awards Buzz & What’s Next

Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage.

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