American Beauty

Indledning
What does the everyday life of an average American suburban family look like today? Allan Ball presents his perspective in his screenplay, American Beauty.

He challenges the concept of the American dream and whether it truly brings genuine happiness and fulfillment, among other things.

The interpretation of American Beauty is left entirely up to you, but one thing is certain: once you've finished it, you won't be able to forget it.

The film provokes introspection about your own life, affecting some more deeply than others, and it undoubtedly reaches depths that most movies never dare to explore.

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Uddrag
Lester's wife, Carolyn, has deceived herself by finding joy in material possessions such as the house, furniture, and her garden, rather than focusing on true values in life.

Like many others, she has built a facade, projecting an image of a perfect life to those around her. She is always excessively friendly and smiling, but the act of perfection frustrates her.

This frustration becomes apparent when she interacts with Lester and Jane. With her own family, she is highly critical and feels superior to them.

Like Lester, she becomes aware of the critical state of her relationship with him. They have lost the passion they once had when they were younger.

However, divorce is not an option for Carolyn as it would shatter the carefully constructed image she has worked so hard to maintain.

Therefore, she acts superior at home, believing that without her, the family would collapse (which it actually is!).

She no longer understands Lester and Jane, and conflicts constantly arise. Unlike Lester, Carolyn fails to rediscover her happy youth.

Nevertheless, she undergoes some development throughout the story. She initiates an affair with Buddy, the local real estate agent and self-proclaimed "king," which boosts her self-confidence.

Terrified of being the underdog in her marriage, she strongly tries to regain a dominant role. As she says on her way home upon finding Lester dead, "I refuse to be a victim!".

Jane, their teenage daughter, has withdrawn herself and keeps a low profile, suppressing her emotions.

Carolyn struggles to comprehend her daughter. Carolyn believes Jane should be happy with all the material possessions she has, but Jane yearns for attention and love from her parents. She has one friend, Angela, an attractive blond girl.