American Beauty: The Shooting Script - Softcover

Actors and critics alike have praised Alan Ball's first feature film screenplay, which tells the off-kilter story of a midlife crisis suffered by Lester Burnham (played by Spacey). For fans of the film's dialogue--and there will be many--the screenplay allows Ball's words as well as the film's inventive imagery, from flying rose petals to a dancing plastic bag, to be savored.

Unfortunately for those wanting the inside scoop, this text is not the original shooting script but rather the screenplay of the final cut. But the script is so impressive, that's a minor quibble. The accompanying notes from Ball and director Sam Mendes are quite insightful, hinting at a different original ending and revealing Ball's odd inspiration for his idea: the tale of Joey Buttafuoco. Ball's TV background has made him an expert technical writer, and this book would serve as a great template for the fledgling screenwriter. It includes 20 black and white photos and a cast list. --Doug Thomas

Academy Award®-winner for Best Original Screenplay, screenwriter Alan Ball counts American Beauty 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 Grace Under Fire. 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.

Sam Mendes made his Oscar®-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.