American Beauty (1999)
I bought this movie on DVD for 1 dollar at a thrift store, and based on the look the cashier gave me when going to pay, she definitely thought I was buying an adult film. I mean, the poster is a bit misleading. Her judgement didn’t stop me from purchasing American Beauty though, I NEVER judge a book by its cover. Do not be swayed by the poster. This movie is excellent.
American Beauty stars Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham, a sexually frustrated, self-declared loser. While it’s hard for most to admit their wrong doings, Lester is open about his failures as a father, husband, and employee. Lester’s uptight wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening) does a good job at keeping up their facade as the perfect couple, but on the interior, Lester is slithering into a demoralized midlife crisis. Lester soon gets his act together when he becomes besotted with his daughter Jane’s (Thora Birch) friend Angela (Mena Suvari). Lester spends his free time fantasizing about Angela while Jane becomes friends with the next door neighbor and Carolyn becomes a little too into her work. This movie is the epitome of suburban dysfunction and loss of identity.
Trouble in paradise much? As a city dweller, I am absolutely guilty of thinking about how supposedly easy people in the suburbs have it, and how it’s a less sophisticated lifestyle. This movie definitely puts me in my place. The characters of this film struggle to thrive in that all-american, cookie cutter, consumer driven lifestyle. The characters question their values compared to ones that society has given them throughout the film. The American aesthetic of beauty is sprinkled throughout, and often in the color red. Angela represents the beauty and seductiveness of the all-American look. The red roses that are shown constantly throughout the film represent the type of beauty that is unprovocative and respected by all, the same way that Carolyn wants her family to be looked at. The forced consumerism of American culture motivates characters like Carolyn and tears apart characters like Lester.
Identity is also heavily discussed in American Beauty. The movie centers around Lester’s midlife crisis, but all the characters of the movie explore their identities. Lester finds learns to find happiness outside of his family and his job, and his newly liberal lifestyle threatens the identity that Carolyn wants for him. While Lester learning to not care about what others think of him, is freeing to him, it threatens the vision that Carolyn has for him and herself. There’s a whole lot more the theme of identity in this movie, but I really don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t had the chance to watch yet.
This movie is controversial for many reasons, but ultimately it’s a really interesting look at what it takes to feel fulfilled with your life. Director Sam Mendes does a great job of mixing dramatic, comedic, and philosophic elements in a way that just feels right. Stream it while we’re still in quarantine!
