Sam Mendes’s Oscar-winning portrait of suburban unravelling is set in an anonymous American suburb – filmed across Los Angeles, from a Brentwood house to a Torrance high school, with the famous drifting plastic bag capturing its dreamy, unsettled mood.
Where was American Beauty filmed?
American Beauty was filmed across Los Angeles – Brentwood, Torrance, Burbank and Canoga Park – with aerial shots of Sacramento.
Every American Beauty location, explained
1
Lester’s house – Brentwood
The Burnham family home used a house in the Brentwood Glen area of Los Angeles.
2
The high school – Torrance
The school scenes used locations in Torrance, in the LA area.
3
Burbank and Canoga Park
Lester’s drive and the fast-food job used Burbank and Canoga Park.
4
The anonymous suburb
The film assembles an everyman American suburb from real Los Angeles streets.
Planning a visit
The film’s suburb is the real, everyday Los Angeles – Brentwood, Torrance, Burbank – dressed as an anonymous American neighbourhood.
American Beauty Fun Facts
1
An anonymous suburb from real LA The film built its everyman suburb from real Los Angeles neighbourhoods.
2
The plastic bag The drifting-bag scene became one of the film’s most iconic, much-parodied images.
3
Mendes's film debut It was theatre director Sam Mendes’s first feature – and it won Best Picture.
4
Five Oscars The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Actor.
5
A suburban satire The film skewers the emptiness beneath a picture-perfect suburb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was American Beauty filmed?
Across Los Angeles – Brentwood, Torrance, Burbank and Canoga Park – with aerials of Sacramento.
Is it set in a real town?
No – it’s an anonymous American suburb, built from real LA neighbourhoods.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – the Brentwood, Torrance and Burbank areas are real parts of LA.
