American Beauty Psychology

As Lester from American Beauty once said, “This isn't life, it's just stuff. And it's become more important to you than living. Well, honey, that's just nuts.” This classic film is replete with themes, symbols and motifs, but the most noteworthy theme relates to everyday happiness. An individual’s happiness depends on a plethora of psychological factors such as interpersonal relationships as well as individuation and this film explores the psychological aspects that determine happiness (Hewison). The film offers an inside look at what seems to be the perfect household, but in reality the Burnham’s and their neighbors have a surplus of problems. Throughout the film, each character faces a very unique journey to discovering themselves and chasing
He has a wife who is obsessed with how others perceive her, a daughter who ignores him, and a sex life that is practically nonexistent. Life looks pretty glum for Lester until he takes it into his own hands. The entire plot of this classic film revolves around Lester’s struggle to become someone he can be happy with. At the beginning of the film he hates his boss, his body, his family and basically everything else in his life. After meeting Ricky and seeing how free-spirited he was Lester became inspired to turn his life around, all in the name of happiness. Not only does Lester struggle to be happy, but the people around him are all fighting the same fight. Carolyn is miserable with the life she lives and finds temporary happiness through a short-lived affair with Buddy Kane. The entire plot of American Beauty no matter which character one looks at leads to the same lesson. Happiness is not a measure of the things you own but rather a state of mind. Be happy with ones actions and do not let taboos or the pressures of society limit the level of happiness in one’s life. In Lester’s case he struggles with happiness because he feels he has lost his masculine touch due to society’s efforts to masculinize men (Karlyn). Not only do males face this pressure, but females as well which was seen with the sexualization of Angela which goes hand in hand with society’s sexualization of younger girls
Hall uses camera angles throughout the film to emphasize the vital lesson the film portrays about happiness. The angles also capture Lester’s transformation which is important to the central theme as well. An example of the excellent cinematography that chronicles Lester’s transformation is found in the two scenes in which Lester talks to his boss Brad. Brad is the new guy in Lester’s firm and is threatening to fire Lester. In the first scene that the two men talk Lester sits in a chair and seems small and alone. The camera looks down at Lester which is symbolic of how Brad views him. While in this scene Brad is in complete control of Lester which is indicated not only through the camera angles but the dialogue as well, things change the second time these two men meet. This time around Lester blackmails Brad with new found confidence. The protagonist has realized that he cannot allow himself to be pushed around if he wants to be happy. This time around the camera is over Lester’s shoulder and the back of Lester’s head is very clear where as when the camera angle changed and is behind Brad, Brad seems fuzzy which is symbolic of how Lester has control and confidence. Happiness is found when one has control over their own life rather than being dictated by others which is exactly what the cinematography in American Beauty