Summary: Discusses how the film American Beauty presents a dark, cynical side of the American Dream that is often not seen in modern films. Details how characterization, cinematography and colour all contributed towards the depiction of turmoil brewing beneath the average suburban town.
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The film American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes, presents a dark, cynical view of the American dream, but also offers hope. The film depicts the typical lifestyles of those who live in our vision of average, middle-class, suburban life. The film also looks close at, and examines, the more insidious elements of our complex times. Through the use of characterisation, cinematography and colour Sam Mendes successfully communicates these ideas.
Behind all that glossy exterior of two cars, large homes, green grass and perfectly manicured gardens people have to ask themselves are they truly happy with their lives. The film American Beauty delves behind this exterior and starts to examine the lives of those who dwell inside the typical middle-class American suburbia. Overall the film is about beauty. As more is learnt about the people who live on the picture perfect setting of Robin Hood Trail, Anytown, U.S.A. it is discovered that every inhabitant has an opinion of what Beauty is. The film does an excellent job in not only highlighting all the typical elements that are involved in living in the vision of average, middle-class, suburban life but also examines the more insidious realities of living this American Dream. The film investigates the theory of what seems being paramount and what is, secondary. At the beginning of the film we can see that most of the characters are hiding behind false representations of who they actually are. Every character is worried about how other members in the society will judge his of her character if they let his or her true personality show.
One of the most important ways of communicating these realities...