Essay On American Beauty
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College essays can be from a variety of topics where some may be essay to write while others may not. Others may be analytic while others are descriptive. American beauty is an example of a citation academic essay. These types of essays are written by college students in order to give the film American Beauty a critical analysis. The movie was directed by Sam Mendes. In this kind of essays a writer is supposed to defend an area of consideration that comes out in this movie. The essays can be written on themes, actors and plot. In this essay we look into the themes that comes out in this film., we also look on to the overview of the film and also looks on how the director of this film achieves his goal in painting a good picture of the American people. American beauty is a true picture of the American people.
``American life’’ nothing paints this image better than the film American Beauty. Produced in 1999 the film had Sam Mendes, as it’s director and is set on a typical home of a middle class resident in a suburban location. The film portrays this family as a normal family but ``look closer’’ the film goes on to suggest in a tag line. As the film suggest for sure it is only possible to know what goes on in this home that looks happy. The film begins with shot of teenage girls, where in the narration it is suggested that her father is wanted dead. In order to drive the message home Sam Mendes uses four strong techniques, which are characterization, symbolism, theme and conflict. By perfect use of this structural elements each at a time Sam is able to paint a perfect picture to the viewers that all things are not as they look. Red can be a good color for symbolism and in this film Sam uses color red to symbolize personalities, feelings and character. As the color of blood red signifies life, the red color can show danger, warmth, love, death, lust or beauty.
Themes portrayed in this film.
Happiness
In the film American Beauty happiness exist as a goal, disguise and a myth. In the film all the characters are in search of happiness. However, their understanding of what is happiness is very different. This quality makes this film an excellent experience in modern American. Despite his state in the start of the film Lester Burnham notices that been happy once again is very possible and at the end of the film Lester realizes that what he found is the true happiness.
In the film the theme of identity is evident because many of the problems that the character of this film encounters result from failed identity. In the film by separating his self-worth sense from his home life and job Lester is able to find happiness. On the other hand Angel believes that her sexuality defines her identity. One of the most tragic character in the film, Carolyn Burnham perceives her identity to be the material things that she posses. Identity has power and by killing Lester Colonel Fits reveals his true identity and the power that it has.
American culture
From the title of this film to the American iconic texts American Beauty is a true exploration of American culture. The young Angela represents the American youth, their beauty and their innocence. On the other hand Burnham represents the ever increasing American consumerism and the belief that material things can take the place of relationships. The film paints a good picture to its viewers of how the American culture is and what good they can pick from it.
Love
In the first half of the American beauty, presence or absence of love is noticed. In the family of Burnham anger is demonstrated as these people do not have love for one another. At the end of the film the death of Carolyn’s husband is a sad moment and from that time onwards she realizes that there is no more chance of loving him again. On the other side despite how Ricky was treated by his father he always believed that he was loved. He also believed that the beatings that he received from his father were just a demonstration of his love for him.