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Over the years, many films have taken a dark look at the suposedly ideal of a white picket fence, a little house, and a nuclear family.For many, the suburban life is the American dream. For others,however, it can turn into a twisted nightmare of unfulfilled desires, repressed needs, and shattered hopes.
American Beauty is about the ways in which these characters grow,and the catalysts that break them out of their near-catatonic existens. It`s also about the emotional paralysis that comes with age and security.We take refuge in routine, and, after a number Of years, the thought of change becomes terrifying.Happines, the goal of youth , is replaced by the desire for the artificial comfort that comes trough the numbing sameness of repetition. Loveless marriages like Lester and Carolyn`s exist because neighter partner possesses The willingness to break the cycle. And the children they think they`re protecting by staying together are often the biggest victims of their sham.
The film begins with Lester Burnham a 42- year-old father who works for a magazine.His wife Carolyn is an ambitious,pretentious with little on her mind but success: "My company sells an image,it`s part of my job to live this image." His 16-years-old daughter Jane is contemplating breast implants.They haven`t spoke to eachother for months.And Lester himself is a loser as he self describes: "boring,faceless and easy to forget....But you know what? It`s never too late to get it back."
Lester and his family`s typical life is outline within a day (whose high point he describes to be masturbating in the shower). He goes to his job where he is confronted by his boss that he can be fired. Carolyn attempts to sell the house.
Lester`s impetus for change himself from loser to winner is jane`s classmate: Angela Hayes, a beautiful, confident and worldly girl with aspirations of being model . "There`s nothing worse in life than being ordinary." Lester meets her when he and Carolyn come to a basketball game to watch them cheerlead, and develops an immediate and obvious crush on her ,much to Jane`s embarrassement. At the same night Jane sees that somebody shooting her -a fact that secretly flatters her.
The next morning we are introduced to the family that has bought the hause next door: Frank Fitts,his wife Barbara and Son Ricky .Barbara spends entire days zoned out, and Ricky is making far more money than a high-schooler should , he is also the person who films Jane.
Carolyn finds herself being swept away by charismatic and highly successful Buddy Kane at a party. She drags Lester along with him, and he meets Ricky whose work as a caterer is a mask for his successful career as a drug dealer.
One day Carolyn meets Buddy for lunch and they make love in a motel.Lester cancels his job and work after that in a fast-food chain.
Lester often fantasizes about Angela.......
Lester continue to liberate himself from loser-dom .He buys his dream-car:"The car I´ve always wanted , and now I have it. I rule!" , continues to work out and smoke and even tries to relate his philosophi to Carolyn .Lester changes his life, he begins to ,ake sport and does everything which he always wants to do.
Carolyn search also the happiness with the "King" how Buddy Kane calls himself.And Jane also searchs her fortune with the boy next door, Ricky.The both make plans to leave for New York.
As Carolyn and Buddy see Lester in the fast-food chain ;Buddy decides that maybe they should let things cool down .Carolyn has now lost everything ,and screams her despair as thunder crackles overhead.
Finally Lester finds Angela playing the stereo, trying to reassemble her life.She is reassured when he tells her he doesn`t think she`s ordinary at all, but the seduction derails when she confesses that it`s first time.Lester can`t do it .After Angela goes to the bathroom, he`s alone in this room and "unaware of the gun poking into the shoot behind him".(vgl. Einfach Englisch "American Beauty")
The movie ends with Lester`s descripcition of his life flashing before his eyes;interspersed with scenes Of his family and friends at the moment of the gunshoot: Jane and Ricky stealing themselves for their journey ;Angela bustling in the bathroom, and so on...Lester finishes by saying that he sees a lot of beauty in the world and feels a lot of gratitude for his life; bird`s eye view of his neighbourhood...........
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