American beauty film analysis

The final scene starts with the protagonist -the main character- Lester Burnham, portrayed by Kevin Spacey, who is setting in the kitchen and was shot. There are some red roses on the table, but the light is switched off, it is dark outside. Admiring the photograph, Lester whispers: Without noticing that, Lester slowly turns the photograph down.

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.

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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. Lester feels excited by the thought that a teen-age girl thinks he is "hot.

This drives Lester to change himself completely. Lester, in desperate search of happinessfinds an escape in Angela.

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Much like a hormone-driven teenage boy, Lester thinks that if he can "score" with a "bombshell" like Angela, then he will be reborn. Lester's mission for happiness and escape is further perpetuated by his eighteen year old neighbor, Ricky.

In Ricky, Lester sees his model for rebirth. Lester calls Ricky his "hero" and is in awe of Ricky's confidence. Lester, then begins a transformation back to his stereotypical understanding of what a teenager is. Lester begins to work-out, smoke pot, and drink beer. Much like a teen, he rebels against responsibility by quitting his job and; therefore, bypassing his duties as a provider to his daughter and wife.

Furthermore, Lester spontaneously, trades in his Mercedes automobile for a 's cherry-red Trans Am sports car. In addition, Lester pursues a job with the least amount of responsibility.

He finds that job in a fast food restaurant. All of these actions are deemed necessary to Lester because this is the way to escape and thus achieving happiness.American Beauty approached this same dissatisfaction with modern living by way of character study.

Much like the film Fight Club, American Beauty criticizes the materialistic nature of American society. When American Beauty was released abroad, many critics were surprised that Americans responded so positively to a film that seemed so critical of traditional American values.

Americans, it seems, were ready to question these values much as Lester does in the film, and move towards a more satisfying, emotionally fulfilling existence.

Mar 04,  · In this film analysis we take a closer look at American Beauty to see what it says about freedom and the essence of true beauty. We follow the personal and . The present essay will explore the parallels between the film American Beauty and the stages of the alchemical process.

The ultimate goal of the alchemical process was to . American Beauty () Plot. Showing all 7 items Jump to: Summaries (6) Synopsis (1) Summaries. A sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after . Get all the details on American Beauty: Analysis.

Description, analysis, and more, so you can understand the ins and outs of American Beauty.