FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about American Beauty Love It Or Leave It
Quiz about American Beauty Love It Or Leave It

"American Beauty" Love It Or Leave It Quiz


People seem to either really like or really hate 1999's "American Beauty". I, for one, loved it. This quiz delves into some of the details of the movie and actors also. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by Gatsby722. Estimated time: 4 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Movie Trivia
  6. »
  7. Movies A-C
  8. »
  9. American Beauty

Author
Gatsby722
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
162,367
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
6569
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 50 (6/10), Guest 4 (7/10), Guest 174 (8/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Which of the following was the film's tagline? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What did Ricky Fitts tell Angela Hayes that he filmed simply "because it was beautiful"? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Who played Jim Olmeyer in "American Beauty"? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This one is an interesting twist of destiny. Billed only as "Mr. Smiley's counter girl" this actress went away from the film to win a Tony Award as Best Actress in a musical a few years later. Her name is Marissa Jaret Winokur. Which play won her that Tony? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Lester, in the midst of all his peculiar angst, bought himself a new car. It was one that held a lot of memories for him. And it certainly wasn't new; just used and in great shape. What kind of car? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Who said, "I know you think my Dad's harmless, but you're wrong!"? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Tom Hanks was initially considered for the role of Lester. He skipped on it (too bad as it could have been his third Academy Award). Someone else was up for the part, too. Which of these? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What city was "American Beauty" set in? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Here's my favorite question on this quiz: Lester Burnham's name is an anagram of a well known fictional character's prior dilemma. It all makes sense, and was done completely on purpose. Which book does his unscrambled name come from? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What are the last words heard in "American Beauty"? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 50: 6/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 4: 7/10
Feb 26 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Feb 23 2024 : Guest 108: 10/10
Feb 15 2024 : Guest 107: 8/10
Feb 08 2024 : Guest 199: 10/10
Jan 31 2024 : Guest 12: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which of the following was the film's tagline?

Answer: "look closer"

"Look closer" appeared, by accident, in Lester's cubicle at work. Someone on the film crew inadvertantly threw it onto the set. Director Sam Mendes noticed it and it struck him as right for the movie's poster. It really did fit since there is a lot to notice in the story.
2. What did Ricky Fitts tell Angela Hayes that he filmed simply "because it was beautiful"?

Answer: A dead bird

Ricky Fitts, played by Wes Bentley, was a bit of an odd duck. His view of things were unique, if nothing worse. He was probably the only person who might see the beauty in a dead bird (but he was fond of Lester, too, which could explain that). He did video tape a floating plastic bag as well.

The symbolism in that was very rich, too. "There's something spectacular about litter in the wind!" Or at least I think he'd have probably explained it that way.
3. Who played Jim Olmeyer in "American Beauty"?

Answer: Scott Bakula

Bakula, along with Sam Robards, played "Jim and Jim". They were the neighbors of the Burnham's, a gay couple who really seemed more understandable than any of the others. The neighborhood had a guy over here going through a brutal mid-life crisis and a completely psycho military guy living over there.
4. This one is an interesting twist of destiny. Billed only as "Mr. Smiley's counter girl" this actress went away from the film to win a Tony Award as Best Actress in a musical a few years later. Her name is Marissa Jaret Winokur. Which play won her that Tony?

Answer: Hairspray

Marissa won for "Hairspray". She only had one scene in "American Beauty" but it was a memorable one. She and Lester are slinging burgers at Mr. Smiley's when Carolyn and "The King" come to the window, obviously up to no good. Marissa's line: "You are so busted!"
5. Lester, in the midst of all his peculiar angst, bought himself a new car. It was one that held a lot of memories for him. And it certainly wasn't new; just used and in great shape. What kind of car?

Answer: 1970 Pontiac Firebird

Doesn't every man buy a new classic car when they've quit their real job, taken a job at a fast food restaurant and has a cheating wife? Lester did.
6. Who said, "I know you think my Dad's harmless, but you're wrong!"?

Answer: Jane Burnham

Jane had a distant and odd relationship with her father and just couldn't understand what he was going through. She even discussed with Ricky having him murdered. Again, more sly symbolism in their relationship.
7. Tom Hanks was initially considered for the role of Lester. He skipped on it (too bad as it could have been his third Academy Award). Someone else was up for the part, too. Which of these?

Answer: Chevy Chase

I just can't imagine Chevy doing the part, no matter how hard I try. Tom Selleck was considered, too (?). The director, who liked Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening right from the start, got his wish. But the powers-that-be had some different ideas.
8. What city was "American Beauty" set in?

Answer: It was never revealed

It was actually never told. They decided to leave the city mostly anonymous. Some of the props hint at Chicago but the aerial shots were of Sacramento.
9. Here's my favorite question on this quiz: Lester Burnham's name is an anagram of a well known fictional character's prior dilemma. It all makes sense, and was done completely on purpose. Which book does his unscrambled name come from?

Answer: Lolita

Nabokov's "Lolita" is sensibly right. Humbert Humbert is the character in it that falls deeply into love/obsession with a much younger girl. The anagram part comes in deciphering and changing around the letters in Lester Burnham's name. It spells out "Humbert learns".
10. What are the last words heard in "American Beauty"?

Answer: "You will someday."

Lester (Kevin Spacey) learns a lot, although he gets it a little too late. There is a whole lot in this movie; it intrigues me every time I watch it. Not watching it completely makes it all look a little absurd but paying attention makes it strangely profound. Love it or leave it! I hope you had a bit of fun on this quiz!
Source: Author Gatsby722

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor linkan before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
1. American Beauty Average
2. American Beauty Easier
3. American Beauty Difficult
4. 'American Beauty' - Part II Easier
5. American Beauty Average
6. Beautiful 'American Beauty' Average

3/29/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us