You Won’t Believe This ‘Yellowstone’ Star’s Early Role

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  • What Is ‘American Beauty’ About?
  • Who Is Ricky in ‘American Beauty’?
  • Jamie and Ricky Share a Surprising Similarity

Taylor Sheridan’s hit series Yellowstone has seemingly transformed into a cultural phenomenon in America, giving rise to a multiverse of spin-off series such as 1883 , 1923, and future spin-offs like The Madison, 6666, 1944, and a yet-untitled project centered around Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser). Each series delves into the Dutton family’s story at different time periods as they strive to construct their empire. The original series, which kickstarted this expansive world, first aired on the Paramount Network in June 2018 before concluding in December 2024. Throughout its run, audiences followed John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) and his children, including Kayce (Luke Grimes), Beth, and Jamie (Wes Bentley), as they navigated the highs and lows that impacted the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in Montana.

Jamie’s family was fraught with issues, and his relationships with John and Beth were especially strained. He frequently clashed with both, finding it difficult to agree with anyone. Wes Bentley brilliantly played this challenging character, but Jamie wasn’t the most popular Dutton character. As for Bentley himself, he has had a diverse career with many notable roles. Interestingly, nearly two decades before Yellowstone, he starred in Sam Mendes’ 1999 Academy Award-winning film, American Beauty. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%, it’s a movie worth rewatching.

The Duttons had their fair share of complications, and Jamie’s relationships with John and Beth were particularly tense. He often found himself disagreeing with them all. Wes Bentley gave an outstanding portrayal of this character, but Jamie wasn’t the most adored Dutton. Bentley’s career, however, is quite varied and impressive. Notably, before his role in Yellowstone, he acted in Sam Mendes’ 1999 Academy Award-winning film, American Beauty. This movie, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%, is a must-see.

What Is ‘American Beauty’ About?

The film American Beauty centers around Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a middle-aged man feeling disenchanted with his life as a media executive and his marriage to Carolyn (Annette Bening), a high-strung real estate agent. Their family in the suburbs is far from idyllic. Lester’s 16-year-old daughter, Jane (Thora Birch), has a strained relationship with her father and herself, feeling unfulfilled. Meanwhile, Carolyn carries on an affair with Buddy Kane (Peter Gallagher), but it seems to elude Lester’s concern. In essence, no one in this family is genuinely content.

As Lester yearns for adventure in his routine life, things take an unexpected turn. He undergoes a kind of midlife crisis and develops an unusual affection for Angela Hayes (Mena Suvari), whom he frequently imagines in fantasies. Simultaneously, the Fitts family settles next door, bringing about repercussions that Lester’s family could not foresee. Colonel Frank Fitts (Chris Cooper) governs his household sternly, while his wife Barbara (Allison Janney) is largely silent. Their son Ricky (Wes Bentley) connects with Jane, sparking a change within her in the process.

Following its premiere, the movie American Beauty received extensive praise from critics and proved to be a significant success commercially. The film was recognized with eight Academy Award nominations and ultimately won five, among them being Best Cinematography, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor for Kevin Spacey, Best Director for Sam Mendes, and the prestigious award of Best Picture.

Who Is Ricky in ‘American Beauty’?

In the movie “American Beauty”, Wes Bentley plays Ricky Fitts, an 18-year-old character. He’s quiet but intelligent, often hiding his true self from his overbearing and abusive father. At home and in public, he follows his father’s rules without question. However, when he’s alone, he’s a different person, confident in his identity. When Ricky encounters Jane, his confidence draws her in, boosting her own self-assurance. This newfound confidence leads them to start a tender relationship.

Instead of most people, Ricky tends to find beauty in uncommon sights, like a drifting plastic bag on a windy day. With a camcorder usually by his side, he’s always recording what catches his eye to capture the world around him. Bentley received several nominations for his performance, including a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Breakout Performance, taking home the latter one.

Jamie and Ricky Share a Surprising Similarity

Although Jamie and Ricky may seem very distinct personalities, they unexpectedly possess a somber resemblance. Despite the apparent disparity in their financial situations, their domestic lives surprisingly overlap. The turmoil that underlies their families bears striking similarities, particularly with regard to the strained relationships they each maintain with their fathers. Their connections with their fathers were always tense and complicated, and despite numerous attempts, neither could find a way to truly bridge those gaps.

The situation becomes even more challenging as neither Jamie nor Ricky have their mothers to lean on for support. Tragically, Jamie’s mother has passed away, and Ricky’s appears to be in a prolonged coma. Both strive to meet the expectations of their families, but they part ways when faced with crucial decisions regarding their future paths. While Jamie persists in seeking his father’s approval, Ricky eventually comes to terms with not receiving it and discovers that he never truly desired it. Right now, American Beauty can be streamed on Pluto TV.

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2025-02-24 01:31