Look closer. American Beauty is a black, startling look at the nuclear family in suburban America. Lester and Carolyn Burnham are - on the outside - a perfect husband and wife, with a perfect house, ... outfit with a grey woollen vest. Ricky's mother has an almost peasant look about her, also dressing in black, white and grey. Her wispy grey hair accentuates her dullness. This lack of colour must therefore be matched by actress Allison Janney, who plays Mrs. Fitts, in the regard that her personality is also bleak and unexciting - ... perhaps even not all there. The Burnham's daughter Jane is...

• Word Count: 1778
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School