The film, "American Beauty," just about every character is one that can be psycho - analyzed . The story is of the Burnham family, who seem to be living "The American Dream," with good jobs, two cars, a suburban home, and a teenage girl. Of course, the facade of life being "beautiful" and "dream like" quickly disappear as the reality of a dysfunctional family slowly introduces itself. Carolyn Burnham is the materialistic, insecure, seemingly successful, lonely wife of Lester Burnham. She has very little to do with her husband, Lester, and even less to do with her daughter, Jane. Carolyn is a very insecure character, which is apparent in her behavior observed in different situations.
The facade that the Burnham family first gives the audience is one that Carolyn Burnham has made for them. She is someone who above all other things, views the way that she and her family is perceived by others, as being the most important. She appears to be a very successful realtor, but in reality she uses her profession as an attempt to find fulfillment. Her marriage with her husband, Lester, is one without passion or communication. At one point in the movie, Lester tries to have a moment of passion with his wife, but she is much too worried about the $4,000.00 upholstered Italian - silk couch being ruined by his beer. Carolyn believes that one of the most important things in life is success, as well as appearing successful. In one scene, Carolyn spends the entire day cleaning a house, while obsessively repeating "I will sell this house," so she can put the house on the market. When the day comes to an end, and nobody has shown any interest in buying the house, Carolyn proceeds to physically and mentally abuses herself; she cries, screams that she is "nothing," and hits herself repeatedly in the face. Carolyn is clearly putting all of her worthiness and self confidence on how she does professionally while ignoring the relationships in her family that are quickly deteriorating.
