DAN JINKS:
Thank you. It was almost exactly two years ago that Andrew Cannava sent us a screenplay called "American Beauty" by Alan Ball. It dealt with sex and drugs, blackmail, homophobia, infidelity and suburban dysfunction. And in the middle of all this was a character named "Ricky Fitts," who at one point says, "Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it." And everyone in the audience knew exactly what he meant. Alan, Bruce and I will forever be grateful to you for trusting us with your beautiful words. Sam Mendes, thank you so much for taking this script and bringing it to the screen in such a brilliant way that audiences around the world have been moved by this story of two American families. On a personal note I want to thank Larry Grimaldi, David Janollari, Michael Pisaro*, all of my friends, my sister Laura, and all of my parents who I am so thrilled are here with me tonight. Thank you. Bruce...
BRUCE COHEN:
Thank you to Kevin Spacey, the incomparable Annette Bening, and our entire cast. You are all phenomenal and we share this with you. We share this with our spectacular crew. Two years ago when others were passing on this wonderful script, DreamWorks stepped up to the plate. We cannot thank enough so many people there, from Glenn Williamson to Steven Spielberg, for giving us the creative freedom to make the movie we wanted to make and then working tirelessly to market it and distribute it. Thanks also to Alan Hergott, to Greg, Jillian*, Paul, the gang at Spago's [sic]. My friends and family, Mom, Dad, Julie, especially Grammy. And finally, on behalf of everyone associated with "American Beauty," Dan and I thank the Academy. To receive this extraordinary honor for a film that we are all so blessed to be a part of is truly the thrill of a lifetime. Thank you.
[*Name and spelling not confirmed.]
