American Beauty Flaws
In Sam Mendes’ Academy-Award winning film American Beauty, life in American suburbia is portrayed. The tagline of the film, “American Beauty…look closer”, is the perfect way to describe the film. This means that American families are not always what they seem on the outside. Almost every family has issues, some more than others. These family flaws are displayed impeccably in American Beauty. These flaws are shown especially through the characters in the film. Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey’s Academy-Award winning role) is going through a typical midlife crisis: he buys a red sports car, quits his job, claims that his life is a bore, and becomes attracted to his daughter’s best friend. Lester’s actions are particularly disturbing to his wife Carolyn (Annette Benning’s Academy-Award nominated role) and his daughter Jane (Thora Birch). Lester claims “both [his] wife and daughter think [he is] this gigantic loser” and he believes “they’re right”. In Sam Mendes’ Academy-Award winning film American Beauty, the secrets behind the American family are shown through each of the characters in the film. First of all, American Beauty shows the Primary Plot of Transformation through Lester …show more content…
Happiness is often the goal in American culture. Although, most of the characters throughout the film do not seem to be happy, they are all in pursuit of happiness. Americans often forget the things in life that truly make them happy. Lester often criticizes Carolyn for forgetting what their life used to be like, when they were young and free without responsibilities. Lester tells Carolyn that the Italian leather sofa “is just a couch”. Carolyn is known for putting on a front showing that success equals happiness, even though she is truly in misery. Carolyn cries when things do not go her way, and she gets angry and blames herself. Carolyn tries to hide the things that are ruining her, which is harmful for her
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1175 Words | 5 PagesPeople from all over the world come to America for the American dream. Once coming here they start to adopt the so-called American culture. The perfect family of four and having a white picket fence is depicted. We’re filled with hope that coming to the land of freedom will elevate the problem we had before. We will have more opportunities and ways in which to better ourselves and succeed.
The Professor's House By Willa Cather Analysis
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Toni Morrison Beloved Rhetorical Analysis
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What Happiness Is Eduardo Porter Summary
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Literary Analysis Of The Great Gatsby
1218 Words | 5 PagesFor example, Daisy is a wealthy socialite married to a man that comes from “old money”, and therefore, has achieved the American dream through marrying “properly” in society. Yet, she is very unhappy and insecure. She’s married to a man who doesn’t love her, nor does she truly love him. She loves him for what he stands for: privilege, wealth, affluence, social acceptability, class, and the finer things of life. She is an example of why the American Dream is foolish because the things that matter to her happiness are temporary; the things she strives for don’t ultimately lead to true happiness.
Film Analysis: Silver Linings Playbook
1514 Words | 7 PagesThroughout the course of one’s life, there is a constant search for some form of happiness. We may not always realize we are on the quest for it, but it’s part of human nature. In “Silver Linings Playbook” we see this happen throughout with Pat and Tiffany, who are both searching for happiness. The film is relatable to us all in that many times we go looking for happiness only to come up empty-handed.
Conflict In American Beauty
1265 Words | 6 PagesAmerican Beauty American Beauty was a film released in 1999, with actors Kevin Spacey as Lester, Annette Bening as Carolyn, and Thora Birch as Jane, portraying what seems to be the stereotypical suburban family. But in as the opening scene suggests with Jane saying she wants to kill her father, this family is anything but normal. The story portrays Lester Burnham, a 42 year old man, cope with his mid life crisis, and how it also affects the people around him. By using the parts of film such as; Again and Again, Aha moment, and Words of the Wiser, reveal conflicts, character developments, and symbols, that can lead to the theme that can be seen throughout the movie. These film techniques show symbolism, motifs and reveal conflicts that all
Kramer Vs. Kramer Legal Analysis
802 Words | 4 PagesKramer vs. Kramer Legal Analysis Brief – Aakriti Gera The film Kramer vs. Kramer is directed by Robert Benton and is based on the novel by Avery Corman. This film is dubbed as a classic due to play of normal life complications. The story follows the life of a couple, which is going through a divorce and through this we see the impact of their decision especially on their child. To begin with, this film portrays a very ordinary and normal family who are dealing with everyday problems.
O Brother Where Art Thou Summary
741 Words | 3 PagesFrom the perspective of a Southern writer, this piece provides detailed information on the Southern culture that the film portrays. In addition, it explores the countless influences that the film draws from Southern stories, myths, and traditions. This article will help me explore the Southern aspect of the film and the ways the Coen brothers paint a canvas of this culture. Thoughts and quotes from this article will be integrated into my discussion of Southern culture as I forward these thoughts into discussing the Coen brother’s subtle critique of this same
Jumping The Broom: Movie Analysis
297 Words | 2 PagesAccording to Price, Price, and McKenry (2010) the intragroup diversity among African Americans is growing, in that there are more African Americans among the middle and upper class now than ever before in United States history. This change in socioeconomic status has had a major impact for many African Americans, in which the increasing diversity has created significant social and economic tensions within their ethnic community (Price et al., 2010). Jumping the Broom has illustrated this recent phenomenon by showing viewers just how much the changing socioeconomic status can impact family relationships and the family system. The stressors associated with division of class between the Taylor and Watson families are particularly salient throughout the duration of the film. Viewers are shown many of these correlated stressors, and how they can cause major ramifications in the lives of today’s
Roger Scruton Why Beauty Matters Summary
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Motivation In The Movie: The Pursuit Of Happyness
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Steve Cutts Happiness Short Film Analysis
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