Sam Mendes efficiently uses the color red; as symbolism to reveal character personalities and feelings. In American culture, red is a color of various meanings and images. The color red is the essence of life; it is the color of blood. It can insinuate energy, vitality, passion, anger, power, excitement, and sacrifice. Red can stand for warmth, danger, love, sex, death, rage, lust and beauty. In the film, red is used on various articles of clothing for a couple of characters. Carolyn Burnham, played by Annette Bening , is shown wearing a red blo

There continues to be an everyday struggle for American’s to find out their true identities. There are countless individuals in society who feel it is necessary to be someone they are not, in order to fit in. American Beauty proves the theme of appearance versus reality. Through their actions and emotions, various characters are seen concealing their fears and insecurities. Everyone is entitled to have fears and insecurities, but to the extent where it does not harm oneself or others. For the most part, many of the characters in the film either harmed themselves or others without an actual cause. As Lester states “Life would be better with me gone, my wife could continue her promiscuous ways and my daughter could move in with her perverted boyfriend. No one would even notice me gone.” All Lester wanted was a sense of belonging or even a small token of appreciation. For many, the suburban life is the American dream. Unluckily, for many, it can turn into a twisted nightmare of unfulfilled desires. “American Beauty, nonetheless, is a movie that gives the viewers the true perspective of how the most perfect family, living in the flawless suburbs can really turn out to be.” It is the typical family with both a working husband and wife living the American dream. They have a beautiful teenage daughter, who is best friends with the typical high school gossip girl. Yet, every character had a struggle of who they were supposed to be. There were so many different conflicts and alterations between the characters that made the film so appealing to the viewer. American Beauty is a film that shows how American society; portrays the all American family to have the perfect relationships with one another. Little does society know about what really goes on inside the walls of the perfect household, and how they act towards each other. The central theme of American Beauty is about the masks the characters wore in the film. And how similar these observations relate to everyday society.

American Beauty is a brilliant film that encourages viewers to “looker closer.” Sam Mendes directed American Beauty to demonstrate the foolish things that Americans do to keep up with appearances. The director urges the viewer to find beauty in life, and to forget about having the “perfect garden and home.” He effectively uses the color red to symbolize characters personalities and emotions. Uses characterization to describe the focal characters. Proves to the viewer that all the characters in the film are battling inner conflicts. And lastly, the theme which proves that a mask or fake identity can be held out only for so long. Sam Mendes facilitated to prove that American suburbia is no different than any other family facing its own problems.

use right before she has an affair with a co-worker. The red blouse symbolized, anger and lust both at the same time. Carolyn lusted her powerful and wealthy co-worker Buddy “The King” Kane. Yet, was angry because she was a residential broker locked into a continuous losing battle against him. The main protagonist, Lester Burnham is shown in the film buying a bright red 1970 Pontiac Firebird. This new car gives Lester, confidence and power, which he is not receiving at home. Red roses also play a significant role in this film. They are prevalent in almost ev

Some topics in this essay:
American Beauty, Carolyn Burnham, Sam Mendes, Mena Suvari, Buddy Kane, Lester Burnham, Pontiac Firebird, Caroline Burnham, Carolyn Buddy, Jeff Vordam, american beauty, sam mendes, color red, carolyn burnham, characters film, beauty film, american beauty film, lester burnham, real estate, estate agent, real estate agent, main protagonist lester, top real, played mena suvari, top real estate,