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Erin Coggins
Prof. Julie Hicks
LBST 1100 Arts and Society: Film
October 28, 2014
American Beauty Response
American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes, discusses the idea of beauty while
criticizing the perfect suburban family persona of the 1990s. The intense lighting,
various shots, and symbolism throughout the film make it worthy of praise. Also, its
critique of American culture provides a strong point for the audience to further questions
issues surrounding the ideal of beauty, marriage and divorce, and homosexuality and
homophobia, all of which are prevalent in middle-class suburban culture.
Although I was extremely uncomfortable during sexual scenes throughout
American Beauty, I did find the characters, lighting, and editing enjoyable and worthy of
award. American Beauty won five Academy Awards including Best Film, Best Director,
Best Actor (Kevin Spacey), Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. The dynamic
and unpredictable characters and suspenseful storyline definitely kept my attention. All
of the characters dramatically transformed throughout the film. For example, in the
beginning of the story, Col. Fitts is a rigid, abusive father but, at the end of film, we see
him as a closeted homosexual, locked into military rigidness. Also, Lester Burnham
changes from a bored, ridiculed father to a man who has come to terms with his family
situation and embraces his fears along with his happiness. The characters and their
development kept me engaged throughout the film. Further, The powerful lighting and
exquisite editing helped create the fantastic film. The lighting not only emphasized the

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characters faces, but also the nature of the current situation. For example, as Ricky Fitts
walks back into his room after dealing drugs to Lester Burnham, the camera pans to Col.
Fitts. The audience only sees a dark corner and the silhouette of a character, which gives
the scene a scary and intense tone. As Lester Burnham realizes that Angela Hayes is still
a virgin and offers to make her dinner, the lighting suddenly turns soft. This drastic
change in lighting reflects Lesters dramatic change in desire; his character shifted from
an intense lustful paramour to a thoughtfully protective father. Editing is also used to
convey sensual messages and societal issues to the audience. As Lester Burnham lusts
after Angela Hayes, she is suddenly surrounded by rose petals. Rose petals are the
symbol for sexual obsession and desire throughout the film. As they are edited into the
scene, the audience can recognize the characters, Lester Burnham specifically, extreme
sexual desire. I enjoyed the dynamic characters and storyline, lighting techniques, and
editing strategies of American Beauty and believe that the film is an example of great
filmmaking, worthy of five Academy Awards.
Throughout American Beauty, Sam Mendes critiques the American culture,
specifically middle-class suburban culture. He uses the characters and plotline to present
the struggles in everyday American families. In both Jane Burnham and Angela Hayess
lack of self-confidence, the audience is able to reconsider the ideal of beauty. Angela
Hayes is portrayed as the beautiful blonde teenager who seems to have her life in order.
All of the boys, including Lester Burnham, stare at her beauty as she walks by them. On
the other hand, Jane Burnham is depicted as a plain and ordinary girl. Angela Hayes finds
her identity in boys who find her attractive. She brags about her sexual endeavors and
seemingly perfect look. Jane Burnham, however, is seen researching breast augmentation

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and does not view herself as pretty or popular. At the end of the film, we see that, in fact,
both girls have issues with their own self-confidence and self-worth. Sam Mendes forces
us to question whether or not beauty is a standard set by an individual or by the
surrounding culture. Sam Mendes also poses questions about family marriage,
correlating to rising divorce rates in America. Statistics show that 40% of first marriages,
60% of second marriages, and 30% of third marriages end in divorce. He discusses this
through Buddy Kane and his wife and Lester and Carolyn Burnham. At the dinner party,
Buddy Kane and his wife act lovingly towards each other, yet as Carolyn Burnham
begins her affair with Buddy, she realizes that both of their marriages are failing. Buddy
Kane later discloses his plans for a divorce with her. After the affair, Buddy Kane and
Carolyn Burnham go to Mr. Smileys for dinner and find Lester Burnham working the
drive thru window. At that moment, Lester Burnham fully realizes the destroyed state of
his marriage and begins to accept the possibility of divorce. Even in seemingly picture
perfect suburban families, divorce is a looming possibility. Further, Sam Mendes
explores homophobia and homosexuality throughout American Beauty. Shortly after Jim
Olmeyer and Jim Berkley move into the neighborhood, the neighbors find out that they
are partners. They also seem to have the happiest and healthiest relationship on the
street. Col. Fitts immediately berates and isolates them, making both his family and the
audience aware of his extreme disproval of their lifestyle choices. Then, once Col. Fitts
speculates sexual relations between Lester Burnham and Ricky Fitts, he brutally beats
Ricky. The audience is led to believe that Col. Fitts is tremendously homophobic until he
meets Lester Burnham in the garage and kisses him. This act displays the dont ask,
dont tell rule for homosexuals in the military. His past explains the structure and

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discipline he forces upon himself and everyone else. Jim and Jims relationship and Col.
Fitts closeted homosexuality pose deeper questions for the audience about homophobia.
In American Beauty, Sam Mendes discusses the issues of beauty, marriage and divorce,
and homosexuality and homophobia, all of which plague the middle-class suburban
family.
After watching American Beauty, I was able to better understand the important
issues facing the middle-class suburban population, including the ideal of beauty,
marriage and divorce, and homosexuality. The presentation of these issues through the
characters and storyline, intense lighting, and excellent editing allowed the audience to be
more engaged and entertained throughout the entire film. I am glad that we watched
American Beauty this week.