Once hailed as a masterpiece, director Sam Mendes's "American Beauty" has had a hard fall from grace in the two decades since its release. In 1999, it was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won five, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screeplay. Kevin Spacey's sexual assault allegations certainly play a part, but are the movie's themes (and how it utilizes underage actors) too problematic to look past with modern eyes? Is the backlash deserved?

Mike and Brian discuss the film's cultural impact, explore its place among the Academy's picks of the top films of 1999 and decide whether to keep it or kick it from the year's top five. 

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