#19: American Beauty, 72nd Academy Awards, 2000

Categories: Winner of 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor

Best Actor nominees who lost at the 72nd Academy Awards:

• Russell Crowe, The Insider
• Richard Farnsworth, The Straight Story
• Sean Penn, Sweet and Lowdown
• Denzel Washington, The Hurricane

The film American Beauty may have captured the zeitgeist of its era, but opinions about its relevance have soured over time. Critics argue that centering a film around a middle-aged, affluent man’s midlife crisis seemed indulgent, particularly when it garnered multiple Oscars. While once considered relatable, the movie’s portrayal now feels out of touch, even entitled.

But the real controversy surrounding the film erupted with Kevin Spacey’s Best Actor win, as in 2017, allegations of sexual assault and harassment against minors surfaced against him. American Beauty suffered the most from this scrutiny, particularly as Spacey’s character’s inappropriate infatuation with his teenage daughter’s friend took on a disturbing new light in the wake of these accusations.