Diagetic In American Beauty

In Sam Mendes’ American Beauty, sound is an crucial tool in communicating narrative and constructing characters. Although many films use both diagetic and non-diagetic sound in their productions, American Beauty amalgamates both forms of sound throughout the film.
In the film’s cheerleading sequence, the protagonist Lester, is watching his daughter cheer whilst the synchronous sound of cheering and clapping is accompanied by a diagetic song ‘Lights on Broadway’. The sound changes when Lester notices his daughter’s friend and fellow cheerleader, Angela. The mode of sound transitions from diagetic to non-diagetic as the crashing of cymbals, interruption of bongos, and echoes of a flute interlude the previous song. The sound and music creates