...Film analysis - American Beauty Presentation of the film In the start of the movie we get a presentation, when Lester tells about life in the suburbs, while the camera passes over all the villas. In the episode where Ricky is filming Jane, we see what it’s going to end up with. We see deepening of Ricky and Jane's relationship and their love to each other and at the same time in what Lester life evolves and by becoming more conscious of himself, and does what he wants. The Point of no return, we find when Carolyn gets a compared to Buddy, and thereby must realize that it is not as it once was. Another example of the point of no return is when Lester quit his job, and gets a job on a junk food restaurant. It's a big step to take, as Lester because he can’t just change, if he regrets it. Conflict escalation occurs just as slowly between Lester and Carolyn when they start using bad language to each other. We find the climax, the major conflict that occurs, however, at the dinner table, where Lester finally throws a plate of beans into the wall, so the plate smashed. Given that Jane takes so much distance to her parents that Carolyn has an affair and Lester lives his own life, one gets a clear impression of the family is well on its way to being dissolved. Identity is a concept that I think is important to have with when you talk about the theme of the film, the concept of identity is very highlighted and exaggerated in the movie, so you can understand what the movie is...
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...The movie I chose to study was American Beauty. This is a movie that begins with Jane Burnhams, Lester Burnhams daughter, being videotaped by an unknown male. She speaks about how much she dislikes her father, and that it would be a gift to society if he were to be “put out of his misery.” By doing so, it begins to make the viewer curious and to start questioning the film in the first five minutes. Why does she hate him so much? Who is behind the camera? What did he do that would make him deserve to die? Then the camera goes blank and the protagonist, Lester Burnham, starts narrating his horrible routine life. He also tells the viewer that he would die in less than a year causing even more curiosity for the viewer. I think this is a great...
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...American Beauty This movie addresses problems that American families could face, as well as the people who affect their lives. The issues that take place are ones that no one wants to discuss, but can be very real. The characters include a closeted gay Marine named Colonel Fitts, played by Chris Cooper, and a man going through mid-life crisis Lester Burnham played by Kevin Spacey. Film critic Roger Ebert states, “This movie is more about sadness and loneliness than about cruelty or inhumanity. Nobody is really bad in this movie, just shaped by society in such a way they can’t be themselves, or feel joy” (2). I had sadness for the characters and was shocked by the way it ended. Most importantly, I found that I could relate to some of these issues. One thing I did enjoy was how well the movie portrays homosexuality. We hear words such as “partners” which is in good taste, rather than “fag” which is in bad taste. Most of the movie shows openly gay people in everyday life. For example, there are lesbians looking at a house that realtor Carolyn Burnham, played by Annette Bening, is trying to sell. Another critic explains, “Evidently the only well-adjusted and relatively happy people in the neighborhood are ‘Jim and Jim’ (Scott Bakula and Sam Robards), a gay couple” (McCarthy 2). Lester Burnham is a relatively normal person who simply has been going through the motions of everyday life. He hates his dead-end job. In addition, his marriage had become routine and...
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...African American Women & America’s Standards of Beauty: What Legacy Will You Pass On? For most young girls, the mother or “mother figure” is a model. Without truly knowing for herself what it is to be a woman, a girl finds, both consciously and unconsciously, some direction from her mother. Imitating her mannerisms, her characteristics, her every make and move, young girls start to identify with their mothers and subscribe to many of their beliefs. Commonly, little girls are fond of all the “rituals” that women in our society, their mothers, practice in order to be “beautiful,” and one will see everything from “mother and daughter” apparel in catalogs to the fun and simpler “dress-up” days at home, where small girls wear mommy’s make-up, clothes, and high-heel shoes. While this “mother-daughter” scenario exists in our society as a whole, the mothers in some ethnic groups sometimes have different takes on what it is to be “beautiful” and, naturally, pass these confusing and sometimes self-deprecating values and beliefs to their daughters. For many young African American girls, particularly, sometimes the imitation of their mother and all that is sacred to her results in low self-esteem. When daughters are exposed to “race-conscious mothers,” who “admonish [them] to make it a habit to pull their noses to make them thinner” or to do other things to alter their physical appearance, it is difficult for them to feel good about themselves (Seyersted 51). Julia A. Boyd, author...
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...“American Beauty” - An analysis of the movie with focus on Carolyn & Lester Burnham The Burnham’s seem to live the ‘American Dream’. They have good jobs, two expensive cars, and a nice home in the suburbs, and a healthy teenager. The family is portrayed as a normal, happy family, but if you do as the film tag says and “look closer”, you see that it isn’t true. Instead, they are living in a “suburban prison”. Carolyn Burnham is the lonely wife of Lester Burnham and can be summed up in five words: materialistic, ambitious, seemingly successful, yet insecure, and a perfectionist. You see her fragile and insecure sides in a few scenes, for instance, when she tries to sell a house, and it doesn’t go as planned, she get’s more and more desperate. She’s alone in the house when she breaks down and allows herself to cry, but first she makes sure that nobody can see her by closing the blinds. She only let herself be vulnerable for a quick moment, before she gets angry, and starts to slap herself in the face, screaming: “Stop it! Shut up! You’re weak! You Baby! Shut up!” It’s a way to remind her that she’s strong, but the slapping is also a way of punishing herself for being weak. To most people crying is a natural thing to do when you’re sad, but for Carolyn it’s a shameful behavior. After the big fight scene at the dinner table, Carolyn goes to Jane’s room to talk, and she tells her daughter: “You cannot count on anyone except yourself. You know, it’s sad but...
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...Voiceover in American Beauty “My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood. This is my street. This... is my life. I'm forty-two years old. In less than a year, I'll be dead”- Lester Burnham narrates through voiceover in the opening of American Beauty. Although voiceovers tend to be cliche, American Beauty, Sam Mendes’ satirical film centered upon American suburbia, utilizes this tool to strengthen its message. Lester, the protagonist, hooks the audience through the use of voiceovers on three separate occasions in the film- the opening sequence, the beginning of his last day of life, and the final scene. Film critics often argue the “show, don’t tell” method of movie making, but Lester’s narrations are very brief and serve a meaningful purpose. An anonymous author from Script Magazine writes in the article, “How to Show, Don’t Tell”: “A lot of dialogue can be avoided because actions define characters. What we watch characters do tells us so much about who they are and what they want.” While this is true in some cases, the author’s comments do not apply to American Beauty at all. “Showing” Lester’s actions would not create the same mood of suspense as “telling” Lester’s thoughts do. Thus, the voiceovers implemented in American Beauty work in an ironic way because “telling” actually creates mystery among the viewers. During Lester’s initial voiceover, the camera is filming from above with a bird’s eye view, showing a snippet of everyday life in American suburbia. ...
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...Brenda Moreno Short Film Response American Beauty The movie "American Beauty" directed by Sam Mendez (1999) was an intense movie. Everything about it from each character, to the scenes. The main characters in this film were Lester Burnham, Jane Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Ricky Fitts, Frank Fitts, Angela Hayze, and Buddy Cane. Everyone came together in such a crazy yet thruthful story that usually happens in real life. One quote that really catched my attention was "everyday is the first day of the rest of your life". It says so much meaning that everyday you have a chance to make your life better no matter the situation. In the movie the main story was Lester's story with his marriage with Carolyn. They had both drifted themselves from eachother and their daughter that their situation seemed to get worse and worse each day. Lester constantly felt out of place and like Carolyn had a lot of control over him. He became obsessed with his daughters friend Angela Hayze, and even started to have a sexual attraction for her. Angela enjoyed that extra attention. Lester and Carolyn never had sexual intercourse so Lester's obsession with Angela became deeper as each days passed. All of the situation made Jane feel very unconfortable and did not know how to take act in the problem. Her new neighbor Ricky Fitt became a big part of her life when he got caught filming her from his window. He also got close to Lester as he started to sell him drugs. I feel like all these issues that Lester...
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...American Beauty tells the story of one man's search for happiness. The film introduces the audience to Lester Burnham, an ordinary- looking married man and father in his forties. Lester is in a loveless marriage. Lester's wife, Carolyn, is so wrapped-up in her real estate career that Lester often claims that Carolyn doesn't even acknowledge him. Furthermore, Lester's daughter, Jane, is completely distant, often claiming how "pathetic" she thinks her father is. Moreover, Lester has dedicated fourteen years to his occupation, and suddenly, he is in danger of losing his job due to downsizing. All of these factors dramatically effect Lester and culminate into feelings of desperation and vulnerability for him. Lester is therefore in search of an escape and a rebirth. He is seeking the slightest possibility of happiness. Throughout the story Lester is consistently reminiscing on his past; wishing he could have it back. In the beginning portions of the story, Lester, as the narrator, states that "it is never too late to regain your past." The catalyst to this frame of thought is Jane's friend, Angela. Lester feels excited by the thought that a teen-age girl thinks he is "hot." Lester overhears Angela state that she would have sex with him if Lester would start working-out and build-up his body. This drives Lester to change himself completely. Lester, in desperate search of happiness , finds an escape in Angela. Much like a hormone-driven teenage boy, Lester thinks that if he can "score"...
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...Blake Cadden NHM 325 Prof. Cole 3-30-2012 VIEWING GUIDE: AMERICAN BEAUTY Awareness and Clarification What were the key events in this clip?: Mr. Burnham quit his job and his wife is furious. They argue at dinner over this and tempers flare. Mrs. Burnham then tries to talk to her daughter Jane about what just transpired. Tempers flare and shes ends up striking Jane in the face. Also, Ricky's father catches him next filming Jane undressing next door. He beats him in an attempt to teach his son a lesson. What are the main reasons for the conflict in this scene?: Mr. Burnham quit his job and his wife is upset. She feels that he is downplaying the situation and making a joke out of the fact that she is the breadwinner now. Ricky's father is upset because he feels his son has no discipline and thinks he can do anything he wants to. How are past and current communication and conflict resolutions styles contributing to this scene?: The Burnham family seems to use a competitive style of conflict resolution in which they both tend to be aggressive and uncooperative. I feel that Ricky's father is using the collaborative style of conflict resolution. He feels like he has invested so much into trying to teach his son a lesson. He uses his dominance as a father figure to manipulate his son into be the man he thinks he should be. Analysis How does conflict grow in the Burnham family? Ricky’s family?: Mr. and Mrs. Burnham have two different opinions on how to handle...
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...American Beauty BSHS/342 March 10, 2012 American Beauty American Beauty is a movie that captures one man’s thoughts as he enters middle age. The main character is Lester Burnham; he is an average man who holds a decent paying job as a magazine executive. The movie starts off introducing Lester’s life in short, he is in a loveless relationship to his wife Carolyn and his daughter Jane has self-esteem issues. As Lester soon discovers his job is in jeopardy, after working for the same company for the extent of 14 years he may soon be let go. This news drives him to re-think his life and evaluate his past and present. His life changes when Jane brings home a new friend. Angela is a young attractive female who catches the eye of Jane’s father, this gives him new inspiration. Each character in the movie has a direction or path that they think will lead to happiness; it is a matter of what path they choose. The choices that Lester makes in this movie lead him down a path of destruction. He soon finds out that his daughters friend Angela has a crush on him, but this is only discovered after he is almost caught eavesdropping. The newly discovered information leads to a series of haphazard events. As Lester becomes engulfed in the moment he quits his job. This news puts a huge strain on Carolyn, she is so career-oriented that she loses her will for happiness. During the time Carolyn is working Les finds a job as a fast food worker, basically his actions are reverting...
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...What is the American Dream, and who are the people most likely to pursue its often elusive fulfillment? Indeed, the American Dream has come to represent the attainment of myriad of goals that are specific to each individual. While one person might consider a purchased home with a white picket fence her version of the American Dream, another might regard it as the financial ability to operate his own business. Clearly, there is no cut and dried definition of the American Dream as long as any two people hold a different meaning. What it does universally represent, however, it the opportunity for people to seek out their individual and collective desires under a political umbrella of democracy. In the fifties, the 'age of suburbia', the American Dream was epitomized by the ability to own a home, live in safety and in a community of like minded souls. The great exodus from the cities to the suburbs defined the American idea of the good life'. The American Dream was and always will be something that makes America great. It allows those with aspirations to make them come true. In America alone needs is a dream and the motivation to carry out that dream. Ambition is the driving force behind the American Dream. It allows any one that has an aspiration, a desire, a yearning, to carry out the individual dream. It knows no bounds of race, creed, gender or religion. It stands for something great, something that every one can strive towards. A dream can be a desire for something great...
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...In Sam Mendes’ American Beauty, there is a deliberate use of the color red throughout the film. The color is a clear representation of life and death, as the movie’s main theme is about both and how they go hand in hand. In the first scene, the narrator and main character, Lester, played by Kevin Spacey, is pointing out how his wife’s clogs match the handles on her pruning shears as she works on her garden. We see her cut a red rose close up, and then in the next shot is from far away, showing her gardening, and all of the flowers are red roses. Even before this happens in the movie, Lester tells the audience that in a year, he’ll be dead. So we already know this movie is about Lester, his life, and then his death. With the shot pulled...
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...Sam Mendes American Beauty challenges the notion of the American dream,where having money,a home,two cars and a job supposedly constitutes for happiness. He does so via several characters which highlight the difference between appearance and reality. Carolyn Burnham-values success and appearing successful- lives up to the American dream. however-appears successful, close up of her crying In a scene in which she cannot sell a house, she abuses herself mentally and physically: she screeches, screams, and slaps herself. All day she had cleaned the house (appearances) and repeated maniacally to herself, "I will sell this house today”-A dream= appearing successful Pool symbolically rep- A dream,meant to be “lagoon like” but in reality is a “cement hole’. Much like she has to sell a seemingly fake image of her house, she also does with her self. Repetition of “in order to be successful once must project a image of success at all times” emotive word “must” sug success is conventional for the American dream. As her ‘business is selling a image’ metaphor...’part of my job is to live that image‘ Throughout film-she keeps her roses/garden in prime perfect condition which highlights the irony as her life is anything but. Angela Hayes-As Carolyn is successfully beautiful, but ugly in character, Angela is also...
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...or suicide. The purpose of my research was to explore how women of color think and feel about their bodies. Specifically, how Black women define beauty by means of variety of different variables such as body shape, skin complexion, and...
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...American Beauty to this day remains one of the most brilliant satires ever made in film cinema in its heartbreakingly honest depiction of the social disillusionment behind the notion of obtaining the “American Dream.” This concept varies considerably depending on the context under which one assumes in examining this so vastly desired commodity, yet what American Beauty brings to the drawing board is the underlying deception inherent in the meaning that so many us in our consumer-driven culture fail to realize. Kevin Spacey is undoubtedly in one of his most groundbreaking roles to date as Lester Burnham, whom paints a portrait of a desperately yearning middle-aged husband and father having lived a great deal of his existence—mediocre at best—under the distorted pretense that material things measure one’s overall happiness. The entirety of the conceptualization driving the storyline is to completely disintegrate these illusive pre-conceived notions pertaining to this phenomenon of organized conformity and offers some semblance of hope to everyone fighting their own individual but similarly constraining plights. Deeper, intricate meanings are illustrated from all different angles and constantly multi-faceted; what this film achieves to do that so many others strive to but lack in their conviction is that it gives viewers a window into our own true selves and the instinctive desires that are inherent within all human beings. We are not necessarily made whole by the sum of money...
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