I've watched this scene so many times in the past without actually watching the movie itself. Tonight that changed. I've just finished the movie and it's even better than I could've imagined. And I'm just totally fascinated by Ricky (not so much him filming a dead homeless person), but more his perspective. I can just watch this scene and I feel... calm. A complete sense of wonder. And I think it's largely due to Wes Bentley's voice and the way he expresses such a profound message with such a tender approach. I imagine some people watch this and think '...it's a plastic bag'. And I often feel shame for connecting with this. Embarrassment. But everything about this just screams beauty to me. I feel like we've become so desensitized to small wonders like these. I feel the same way with the stars too. I hope one day I can find similar-minded people who value beauty above material things. God, I hope I do.

Every human being on this planet should watch this scene...

I literally cried when he said " Sometimes there is so much beauty in the world, I fee like I can't take it" because I have experienced that feeling many times, especially in nature when I'm alone contemplating or meditating. It's an overwhelming feeling that's hard to explain, as if you have suddenly awoken or stepped into heaven. right there in the moment you become fully conscious! This scene was so beautiful! Imagine finding someone who understands you on this level instead of thinking you're some kind of a creep or a weirdo.

Always amazes me how people fail to appreciate this scene given the *context*. It's not saying that the world is beautiful, or the bag is beautiful, or that life has special meaning. If there's anything its definitively saying... its showing us that a boy who was raised by a distant, abusive father still sees meaning and beauty in the world, even in the smallest of things... perhaps to the point of being odd. He's not trying to convince Thora Birch's character or the audience... he's confessing and sharing his truth.

I'm one of those people who get goosebumps watching this scene...I understand the essence of it, the randomness and beauty of life which sometimes is hidden behind small things and details which make you wonder if there is any logic or reason why we exist on this planet, only to realize that there is a greater force out there watching over us....

This scene means more than we may realize.

That Thomas Newman music in the background is haunting and absolutely stunning.

This movie just makes you see life in a different way

One of the best scenes in the whole cinematic world.

Unforgetable scene. I remember watching it over and over again 15 years ago during my cancer treatment..

One of the greatest scenes in American cinema history. An absolutely brilliant movie.

I have felt this scene my whole life, melancholic, beautiful,lonely.

You either love this scene or hate it. I love it so much. One of the most moving scenes I've ever seen. One of my favorite movies ever. A true privilege to watch.

I can see why people watch this scene on its own and would call it pretentious but in the context of the movie it's a beautiful piece of art and has to be seen within the other moving parts of the movie for it to have any meaning, it's a great scene and part of my favorite movie ever

That's how despair just pushes you towards finding beauty in anything you could reach.

this scene changed my life.

If you've never felt that force, find it. You deserve to feel that awe inspiring sense of connection and peace.

One of the greatest scenes in cinematic history… But also one of the greatest musical SCORES, by the AMAZING Thomas Newman!!! … I mean, just listen to those subtle choices of instruments and the willingness to be gentle and not hit anything hard over the head with an instrument, but allowing the emotion to drive it… Indeed, subtlety; that's part of the genius of Mr. Newman.

Most enlightened Hollywood scene ever made. I remember it very often during my life. Very often..

In my opinion, this is one of the best scenes of the movie, so emotional. That time, I saw the movie in the cinema and had tears in my eyes. This moment is deeply touching, inspiring mind and soul. The music by Thomas Newman in the background of the scene is a masterpiece, same as the movie itself

Best scene in any movie I've ever seen. Whoever wrote this didn't just make it up. They had this experience. And it's easy to tell by reading the comments who else has had it as well.

i have no idea why but all these years later as I have a moment of gratitude that just overwhelmed me I thought of this scene and had to find it....wow brilliance...

One of the most powerful moments in cinema

A scene, that to me, emphasizes the beauty of all things (yes even the horrible) in this incredible journey we all find ourselves in, a journey called life. This scene says so much more than it shows.

Gotta admit, watching that plastic bag in the wind and hearing him describe its beauty was strangely hypnotising. I couldn't take my eyes/mind off of it.

One of the most simplest of tunes - the range of a fourth over a bed of basic open fifths, yet it's taken its place among the most beautiful compositions from this generation.

It's visual poetry. Ricky is using it to help him perceive life on a deeper level, and as viewers we have the chance to perceive the same. There, nailed it! lol

Guys the point is that he's projecting his feelings and longings into that plastic bag and he sees hope, love and clarity. Its BRILLIANT:)

Even though this kid is bizarre, I think the message is we overly complicate our lives instead of embracing the simplicity. I really respect this movie’s premise.

In this era of mobile phones, I have often seen my friends, who cannot stay/ wait at a place for more than a few minutes. Whenever, I hear that kind of talk - about impatience and getting bored, I'm reminded on this beautiful scene I first saw over a decade ago - how beauty lies in the most unexpected of places, and everywhere, and its just waiting to be explored by the right pair of eyes.

This is one of the best movie scenes I have ever watched.

Do you ever gaze into the stars at night and feel something similar?

When I first saw this scene with a couple of friends, we all started laughing. I think personally I found it so absurdily beautiful that I didn’t know how to react. Now that I rewatch it, it makes me emotional in a completely different way. I think that’s what great art can do.

This was me at one incredible moment that changed my life. I always knew that there was something behind everything I was seeing, feeling & experiencing, it just took that one particular moment, & me being completely quiet inside & out, to have it revealed to me. This is one of the greatest moments of any film ever made.

Always been a sensitive soul ever since I was a kid I laugh at the jokes made about this. But as I’m sat here watching the movie this scene never ceases To make me tear up. If you feel the same know we have most likely been in limbo land for a long time and this is our first time back. We see beauty in everything 🤣

“Sometimes there is so much beauty in the world I feel like my heart is going to cave in”. I thought I was the only one that felt that until I watched this movie. This movie gets it.

This scene means more to me than i think anyone else could understand. I Iisten to this when im in that that dark place and i have no more hope to keep going. I need to remember ❤

So grateful for this scene. These are the exact words I remember when I think back to my spiritual awakening.

So impressed with Wes Bentley's performance in this scene -- the intense emotion on his face by what his character is feeling. And it gets me every time.

This is one of the best scenes ever in cinematic history. A plastic bag ! Simplicity = Genius .

It's easy to mock the earnestness of this scene, but it definitely speaks to a lot of people. I think sometimes we've all felt that life is much more meaningful than it's easy to give credit for, and it's a healthy thing to hold on to a reverence for life and its rich possibilities

It's all about seeing things that others can't. Or won't. I love this movie because it's deep and philosophical.

This is the best scene in American cinematic history

13 year old me: this scene moved me to tears 24 year old me: pretentious artsy sentimental garbage scene…cringe 35 year old me: this scene moved me to tears

I watched this movie with a couple of friends. We were all laughing in most of the movie but this scene man , this scene connected with me in such a deep level. I swear to you i teared and i hide it from my friends. When i went home i saw this scene so many times , along with lesters ending speech. I was so close to missing the point but it hit me close to heart. This scene is not about the plastic bag "playing" with the wind. Dont be so blind as to see the material. He even said "video is a poor excuse" . He is watching the video while talking but its not about the video. Its about the beauty of the world projected in the plastic bag. There are way more things in life than your everyday struggles. There are way more things in life than just plastic bags . Once you see the beauty of the world then you will get this scene. Then you will return to this movie and watch this scene only to remember what you allready learned. I believe most people dont appreciate their time here in the world , they cant see behind the scene , they havent seen what beauty is according to the film maker. They havent found their own beauty. They are too busy living their lives to live their life. Stand still and observe. The birds in the sky flying in circles , the trees dancing the same way this plastic bag dancing , the dogs running around enjoying life way more than me and you. And so much more. I believe the film maker put a plastic bag in this scene only to show that even something as meaningless as a plastic bag , can make you remember what this world is all about. Beauty. In the world . In you. I think every human will understand what this movie is about at one point of their lives. But if you dont see it , its ok just remember to relax and stop trying to hold on to it and then it will flow through you like rain and you wont feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of your stupid little life. If you still dont get it dont worry, you will some day

This scene was so powerful when I was a kid. I saw what he saw. I knew what he was talking about. I felt the same way as he did. Now I'm older and I no longer feel that way. This scene doesn't speak to me anymore. Really makes me think. Have I taken a wrong turn somewhere or did life just finally got to me?

This is exactly how I feel sometimes when I'm walking home of an evening, when it's so quiet and nearly dark, it's as if i'm so overwhelmed with what I am and where I am - like my chests is going to burst with emotion.

A rare instance of a great script, perfect soundtrack, fantastic visuals and flawless acting colliding.

Thomas Newman's "American Beauty" theme music has ALWAYS touched my soul, and makes me ACHE for something I cannot define (And I'm normally not the most "spiritual" of people) but this soundtrack just DOES this to me. So much so that driving to my mother's funeral 9 years ago, I purposely listened to it, just to reinforce its power on me. The single piano with string accompaniment is such a DEEPLY moving motif.

“It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. Right? And this bag was just dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. That's the day I realized that there was this entire life behind things, and this incredibly benevolent force that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in.”

this comment section is really weird. on one hand there are all the people who dont get the scene, but on the other hand you cant explain it without seeming really pretentious or fake. unfortunately you have to have a certain perspective on life to appreciate this scene. its sad so many people cant appreciate this. youre missing out.

Am I the only one who sees so much pain in this scene? It's like he was trying to say that he regrets so much that he can't find that beauty in his own life, because of the way people became? because they are blind to what the world offers? and they are focusing on irrelevant things? This boy is so broken, because of the limits that people brought into life when there's so forgotten beauty in the world. God, he feels so lonely. I feel the same.

american beauty changed me as a person

As I near the end of my life, it's scenes like this which bring me to tears. So many things I didn't pay attention to...and bam. Here I am with a complex pain condition the doctors know not what to do. So..I'm left with a mind which still works, and all these pent-up emotions leaking out of my pores. All of my so called accomplishments are shit. I've lost whatever friends I thought I had, and pushed everyone else away. My own family doesn't give a shit, but I remain steadfast I am a product of my own upbringing.

This scene is just PERFECT .. one of the best scenes ever .. so simple yet so genius .. so emotionally striking .. you can letterally feel every word .. the cinematography fits in well .. the writing is phenomenal. . The score is just perfect .. and the performances especially the guy ( i don't know his name) are just awesome The feeling you have when u first watch this scene is indescribable ❤

Emotional intimacy and spiritual truth almost always make the immature uncomfortable and frightened. They respond with childish and often ignorant derision that is both inappropriate and callow in the face of love. You can always mark the fool, by his foolish response to that which is profound and deep beyond his measure.

It’s interesting how so many people laughed at this scene. But those of us who got it really got it. This scene somehow captured the ache in my heart that I’ve have since I was a child.

One of the most beautiful scenes of contemporary cinema. Extremely poetic and philosophical.

...it's as if script writer is talking to us directly. Video of a plastic bag is so absurdly simple it almost feels like it's genuine footage taken in one random "magical" moment and not a preconceived movie scene. One simple lucid moment perfectly conveyed by equally simple but hauntingly repetitive music. Pure genius on multiple levels...

One of the few scenes in film that has ever touched me. I wept like a child

possibly the most hauntingly beautiful music score

This is the most beautiful scene in cinematography!!!

American Beauty is such a good movie it is hard to put into words. It is just so thought provoking and above all else...honest.

The Beauty Within the Mundane: "American Beauty" captivated audiences with its portrayal of finding beauty amidst the ordinary. One poignant scene features Ricky sharing his video of a plastic bag dancing in the wind with Jane. He expresses, "Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in." These words resonate with the viewers, showcasing a shared appreciation for the profound beauty that exists within the seemingly mundane aspects of life. This scene and Lester's final words converge, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and embracing the inherent beauty in the world around us.

I always knew this scene was well written and acted. But as I've gotten older and have kids who have grown up, I have come to see beauty in the simplest things in life, like family, nature, and the senses. The words in this scene really are meaningful to me now.

Best scene in movie history, best movie in movie history......love it so much.

This scene lives rent free in my head, every time I see a plastic bag being carried away by the wind I think of this beautiful scene 🌅

I’ve actually had moments in life like this where for some reason I’ve just stopped dead in my tracks and taken in my surroundings and been like omg life is beautiful for instance I was having a cigarette at work it was snowing and where I was was near a canal and fields and the snow was a blanket all around me untouched not a single footprint and the morning sun was coming up it overwhelmed me it was beautiful!

I always cry when I see this. I don't understand why, but is beautiful

The role of a lifetime, perfectly played by Wes. -Congratulations to all the artists whose work created this film.

I cry with this shit every time I watch It. Maybe one of the most touching scenes I've ever seen. Masterpiece by Mendes.

This scene is amazing

It shows how simple life is .... we will not take anything when we leave, hopefully everyone can enjoy the little things, this is happiness

Masterpiece - totally changed the way that I look at the world...

“but it helps to remember, i need to remember” shit had me bawling seriously this is the most touching movie i coulda ever dreamt up

These words are probably the most important one's I had ever heard in my life. I had been obsessing over relatability for years, and how other people could relate to everyday things, everyday words. I could not. I felt like an outcast, I felt lost. A dear friend of mine and I tried desperately to find me a poem, a book, a song, a story that resonated to me. Something that wouldn't make me feel so isolated. Then, I saw American Beauty for the first time. And I finally found it. These words, these powerful words. I felt them too, the 'caving heart' I used to call it. Passion so overwhelming I could physically feel it. And for once, I related to something real. I soon learned that everyone found these words either beautiful but unrealistic, or 'pretentious'. It hurt to see that, and I felt alone again. I have searched and searched, but to this day I have not found anyone in my life who truly feels these words. Who feels lifes everyday beauty so intensely that you can feel it in your chest. And perhaps I never will. But I am lucky to be so passionate, I am lucky to feel this way- though often it can be too overwhelming. But it has allowed me to appreciate life, it has allowed me to be free.

beauty is where each of us see it in our way

That scene. I’ll never forget it. He is an amazing actor…

Every day I get myself getting to remember how beautiful life is. I can’t forget it.

Often this scene is interpreted as 'there's beauty in small things / anti materialism', but i feel like this scene is actually specifically about Ricky's mental health issues. I wouldn't be surprised if Ricky was a suicidal teenager at one point (or at least he had a mental breakdown as mentioned in the film) and he has morbid curiosity (filming the bird, staring at dead person's eyes). It's like he's explaining that the meaning behind this video is an anchor and lifeline for him. There's desperation and urgency almost when he says "i have to remember [beauty]". It's like he used to want to die, and reminders of beauty where ever in the world, make him want to live and that desire can be almost be so conflicting and very intense to process. I think the whole film is about 'beauty' but not just in the context of materialism but multiple contexts, one being beauty and the very confusing and often intense experience of 'beauty' for those who have complex mental health care issues.

Every time I do magic mushrooms I feel overwhelmed at how beautiful life really is

Possibly this scene would not be the same without the music of Newman. It's the importance of music in cinema.

This scene and this music changed my life so much. I am very thankful for it.

If you don't understand this, then don't worry, You will someday!

This is Infact one of the most beautiful scene of the film along with many others. The way actors and directors and all the team did it is simply splendid. This scene has a profound message and meaning for life and seeking it's existence within the individual soul being confined and caged seeking refuge out of it. ✨🌠

This scene truly changed my life. Its the simple things folks. Open your eyes.

This movie, and in particular this scene, actually changed my life. I was living a normal life with a girlfriend back then in 1999, when we saw the movie on VHS (he he). Being rather inmature at that moment I didn´t understand scene, but the music of Thomas Newman was incredible, and appealed to me immediatly. A few years later I saw the movie again, and fell totally in love with it, again particularly this scene. I have felt an internal emptiness my whole life, whether or not I was in a relationship, but the scene reminded me - and still does today - that maybe we need to remember "the divine"... whether it´s in a plastic bag or in something else... Maybe then the emptiness will be appeased.

i was sitting on a seat watching us humans running around like automated ants the other day in my busy city, we all need to stop and smell the roses once in a while :)

It could take a whole lifetime to understand the meaning in this movie scene.

I cried while watching this scene

Just hypnotic and beautiful. Ricky describes it so perfectly. Love this movie and love Thomas Newman.

These are the types of experiences that sound like bs to people who never had such experiences. Hard to verbalize and in most cases meaningless as people will not understand. But so meaningfull, the basis of my life.

I don't know why but i can heavily relate to what he says. Even in things that are purely practicall, i struggle to not see something beautiful that seems intentional. I feel like there is art everywhere. In every little thing on earth and sometimes i feel like everyone else is blind for not seeing it. Of course i have problems and dark thoughts sometimes, but even in the most ugly i mange to find so much beauty that justifies its existence. I don't think that everyone sees the world like i do, but i like the idea. I love to imagine that everyone sees the beauty but just doesn't talk about it, because he's afraid of sharing his secret. I love to see strangers on the street and wish they'd think I'm blind for not seeing the beauty.

Is it just trash blowing in the wind, yes from one perspective, from another it demonstrates the underlying intrinsic forces that help govern everything, like a tree blowing in the wind, birds singing, or the ocean breaking on the beach, night and day, that ebbing and flowing is all around us, in the furthest reaches of the Universe to the inner workings of the neurons in our brains, air flowing in/out of our lungs. Everything is connected. Order in the chaos. I think this scene reminds us that we have a special privileged vantage point in this existence, we are the Universe experiencing itself for a few brief years. I think as you learn to meditate you are gifted moments like this, stillness that can only be described as blissful and eternal. As pretentious as it all may sound. I wished more people could see the beauty in simple things, it can bring great comfort in times of despair.

I guess the message with Ricky's character is that just because you're weird doesn't mean that you're a dangerous person, it just means that you're different

This is one of my favorite movies. And this scene and score gets me everytime. So beautiful.

I see the beauty in this scene.I lost something on the way to age 44,but it’s never too late to get it back.

for those who don't understand what this means, he's saying there's a consciousness behind everything a "life force" and it's "good" it was "communicating" to him through a personal experience when he filmed that to make him "aware" of it, so he watches that to help "remind him" so he doesn't "forget it"....

The most beautiful scene ever that makes my heart blossom

One of the greatest movies ever