Jemi Bernard American Beauty
The film ‘American Beauty’ in short is eye opening and controversial at best. It challenges our perceptions of society and social interactions and how we perceive everyday things such as beauty. It is a film which also steps of the ‘beaten track’ of film techniques and uses more skewed and controversial methods of getting the film’s message and themes across to the audience, often resorting to making that said audience feel uncomfortable and insecure.
Because of ‘American Beauty’ being far from a ‘generic’, ‘run of the mill’ film it obviously attracts a lot of attention and opinions, both good and bad. Many film critics have covered this film upon its release drawing various conclusions on the film's meaning and stamping their opinion on it. …show more content…
Many of these opinions often change the way individuals like myself view the film, changing the message we take out of it, as if we are viewing the film through another lens.
If we view Sam Mendes’ film ‘American Beauty’ through the lens of a film reviewer our overall perception and understanding of the film and the themes and messages it delivers can be changed and become deepened and enhanced.
Many film critics have reviewed ‘American Beauty’ in both a positive and negative light. The critic's opinion has deepened and enhanced my perception of the film and the conclusions I draw off it as each different review views the film in a different light and approaches the film’s meaning from a whole other angle.
Jami Bernard’s review of ‘American Beauty’ expands on the barely touched idea in the film of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves. Bernard’s review does this through plot recall of various situations in the film and shows how the film details these two intertwined ideas.
The review does this mainly through the use of two main characters, Carolyn and Angela; Both of whom want things for themselves and bring situations upon themselves in the film, both materialistic and socially.
The article talks about how Carolyn is a stranger to her daughter Jane and touches on how Carolyn’s pursuit to success and the ‘perfect’ lifestyle is the main reason why Carolyn is distant from her daughter. In the film we take a peek into the characters lives, both when they are surrounded by others and more interestingly sometimes when they are alone and away from others, this is shown through the quote in Jami Bernard’s article;
“Carolyn, meanwhile, tries to bolster her perfect facade with self-help tapes and other morale boosters even a neighborhood affair but when she's all alone with the disappointing person she has become she bursts into wrenching sobs.” [1]
This ‘bolstering’ of her perfect ‘facade’ or lifestyle as it is in the film is the main reason she is so distant from her daughter.
The article touched on these aspects to show how Carolyn wants the perfect lifestyle for herself and how she brings upon herself a very distant and detached relationship with her own daughter, whom of course is someone she should be very close with.
Jami Bernard also touches on Angela when referring to the idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves. Angela is mainly referred to in this context regarding what they bring upon themselves. The quote in the article regarding Angela is as follows;
“There's nothing worse in life than being ordinary," says the provocative Angela with the confidence only possessed by those who haven't lived yet.” [2]
The quote points to her own in-securities in herself as she points at others stating how normal they are, in a fruitless attempt at bolstering her attractiveness towards others by seeming to be something ‘special.’
She brings this in-security upon herself by reminding others of how normal they are despite her being as normal as those she calls this.
A quote in the article sums up the style of the film ‘American Beauty’ to such perfection;
“American Beauty" approaches a manic, almost cartoonish edge without falling over.”
The quote is correct in saying so as the film shows a multitude of individuals all manic in their own right.
The danger with this in the film is that the message or theme becomes lost in the ‘manic’ nature of the character. This does not happen however as each ‘manic’ character in the film has something or someone which exposes this manic side of them to the audience, but still keeps the film and the expression of theme in check.
Jemi Bernard’s analysis of ‘American Beauty’ is the sort of article which highlights the main beauty in the film itself; Its ability to be thought-provoking and attract the opinion of many critics and individuals with different opinions of the film and perceptions of the messages and themes which are expressed within ‘American Beauty’.
The article also explores an idea which is not really explored in the film or analysed by many when responding to the film; This being the idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves.
It can be argued that this idea exists in the film, although not the premise of the film itself, it is explored through the use of the characters, Angela and Carolyn; Both of whom want something for themselves or bring something on themselves, whether that is something social or …show more content…
physical.
This idea is also one which ties into the themes of the film; Appearance vs. Reality, Family, Materialism (as a part of the futility of the American dream) and sex and sexuality.
The idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves is one that has moulded and shaped my perception of the film and its themes and messages.
Prior to my critical analysis of this article it seemed that there were only a small, finite amount of messages or ideas that could be related to the visual text ‘American Beauty’.
Jami Bernard’s article detailing the idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves and my critical analysis of this article has broadened my understanding of the film’s messages and brought on my realisation of the film’s adaptability and the breadth of messages which relate to this film. After the critical analysis of this article it is clear how many ideas and themes relate to this film when you ‘look closer’; The article has thus shaped and moulded my perception of the film and it’s themes and messages.
The ‘catch-phrase’ of ‘American Beauty’ is certainly something that Adam Norman’s review abides by, taking a magnified look at the themes and messages contained within ‘American Beauty.’
As detailed in the article; “Look closer at the beautiful things we yearn for and spend our life chasing.” [3]
The article looks closer at the messages and ideas of the film, primarily about beauty and how people yearn for things.
We are reminded of how each character yearns for something in the film, this being something that is to do with the theme of the ‘futility of the American dream’ and the pursuit for materialistic perfection in some instances.
The article details how each character has their own pursuit or yearning as a part of ‘looking closer’; A yearning or pursuit which each character believes will somehow get them out of their miserable life;
“For Lester, it is an overwhelming passion for a young girl.” ;
“For his wife, Carolyn, it is becoming the most successful real estate agent in her town.” ;
“For their teenaged daughter Jane, it is changing her physical appearance.” ;
“For their neighbor, Colonel Frank Fitts, it is the semblance of a happy, normal domestic all-American life.”
[4]
By the end of the film most characters have a taste of the dreams they were yearning after and thus discover the “underlying emptiness in their lives.”[5] As detailed in the article;
“Looking closer, they see the decay that has replaced genuine beauty and meaning. Their dreams are nothing but illusions.”
The article shows us how mindless and blind pursuits towards ‘concrete’ and delusional goals can be consequently fruitless, but can also teach us about the lives we lead.
This article like the previous one by Jami Bernard which was critically analysed shows how the film has many messages and themes which within it and when the surface is scratched the film can be related to many others.
The film is summed up by the critic, Adam Norman by the quote in their article which states;
“It is easy to take this film for yet another Hollywood tale about the emptiness and meaninglessness of life stripped from all illusion and pretense. At least that's what I thought until the very last moment of the film when Lester's life literally flashes before his very eyes as we hear his voice speaking from the life beyond. It's a moment that one film critic called, "a grievous, laughable filmmaking mistake." I think it is the film's most compelling scene.”[6]
This is very true. The ending scene can be interpreted in many ways, it can safely said however that it sums up the film and through the quotations by Lester Burnham it shows us that Lester died at peace knowing the ‘fruitlessness’ of his pursuit of happiness to pull him out of the ‘rut’ his life was in. He realises he should have captured and made an effort to retain the happiness which existed in his family long ago.
Andy Norman’s analysis of ‘American Beauty’ is one which highlights some of the main and ‘generic’ themes or messages in the film. It sheds more light on these themes or messages by analysing them more in depth and thus exposing new ideas surrounding these messages.
The article unlike the previous analysed article does not look at new themes or messages that were rarely touched upon in the film, but instead revisits ‘generic’ themes and messages in ‘American Beauty’ and introduces new ideas surrounding them but critically analysing them.
The fact that the article succeeds in uncovering new ideas surrounding previously analysed themes again shows the film’s ability to be thought-provoking and the film’s ability to attract the opinion of many critics and individuals with different opinions of the film and perceptions of the messages and themes which are expressed within ‘American Beauty’.
The article exposes new ideas which address the end scene of the film as the most compelling scene in the film and which detail how each character is in pursuit of something throughout the duration of the film and how this exposes “underlying emptiness in their lives” [6].
The exposure of new ideas surrounding the ‘existing’ themes and messages of the film has moulded and shaped my perception of the film and its themes and messages.
Prior to critical analysis of Andy Norman’s article it seemed that further analysis and exposure of new ideas within ‘existing’ themes and messages was not plausible.
Within the article it is shown how each character’s pursuit towards something in the film exposes an inner emptiness within their lives, something which has not been previously uncovered.
The new ideas ‘exposed’ through previously analysed themes and messages has again broadened my understanding of ‘American Beauty’ and the themes and messages within the film. The article has also made me fully understand that themes and messages which may have already been analysed still hold new ideas and can be expanded upon through further analysis.
Viewing ‘American Beauty’ through the filter of critical reviews has shaped and moulded my perceptions of the film and it’s underpinning themes and messages.
It has exposed to me that despite the fact that themes may have already been analysed they still hold ideas which can be exposed and can be re-interpreted and linked to the theme in question.
The critical reviews of ‘American Beauty’ also ‘unearthed’ other messages and ideas in the film which were rarely or not touched upon in the film.
These messages being exposed had the most influence
Because of ‘American Beauty’ being far from a ‘generic’, ‘run of the mill’ film it obviously attracts a lot of attention and opinions, both good and bad. Many film critics have covered this film upon its release drawing various conclusions on the film's meaning and stamping their opinion on it. …show more content…
Many of these opinions often change the way individuals like myself view the film, changing the message we take out of it, as if we are viewing the film through another lens.
If we view Sam Mendes’ film ‘American Beauty’ through the lens of a film reviewer our overall perception and understanding of the film and the themes and messages it delivers can be changed and become deepened and enhanced.
Many film critics have reviewed ‘American Beauty’ in both a positive and negative light. The critic's opinion has deepened and enhanced my perception of the film and the conclusions I draw off it as each different review views the film in a different light and approaches the film’s meaning from a whole other angle.
Jami Bernard’s review of ‘American Beauty’ expands on the barely touched idea in the film of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves. Bernard’s review does this through plot recall of various situations in the film and shows how the film details these two intertwined ideas.
The review does this mainly through the use of two main characters, Carolyn and Angela; Both of whom want things for themselves and bring situations upon themselves in the film, both materialistic and socially.
The article talks about how Carolyn is a stranger to her daughter Jane and touches on how Carolyn’s pursuit to success and the ‘perfect’ lifestyle is the main reason why Carolyn is distant from her daughter. In the film we take a peek into the characters lives, both when they are surrounded by others and more interestingly sometimes when they are alone and away from others, this is shown through the quote in Jami Bernard’s article;
“Carolyn, meanwhile, tries to bolster her perfect facade with self-help tapes and other morale boosters even a neighborhood affair but when she's all alone with the disappointing person she has become she bursts into wrenching sobs.” [1]
This ‘bolstering’ of her perfect ‘facade’ or lifestyle as it is in the film is the main reason she is so distant from her daughter.
The article touched on these aspects to show how Carolyn wants the perfect lifestyle for herself and how she brings upon herself a very distant and detached relationship with her own daughter, whom of course is someone she should be very close with.
Jami Bernard also touches on Angela when referring to the idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves. Angela is mainly referred to in this context regarding what they bring upon themselves. The quote in the article regarding Angela is as follows;
“There's nothing worse in life than being ordinary," says the provocative Angela with the confidence only possessed by those who haven't lived yet.” [2]
The quote points to her own in-securities in herself as she points at others stating how normal they are, in a fruitless attempt at bolstering her attractiveness towards others by seeming to be something ‘special.’
She brings this in-security upon herself by reminding others of how normal they are despite her being as normal as those she calls this.
A quote in the article sums up the style of the film ‘American Beauty’ to such perfection;
“American Beauty" approaches a manic, almost cartoonish edge without falling over.”
The quote is correct in saying so as the film shows a multitude of individuals all manic in their own right.
The danger with this in the film is that the message or theme becomes lost in the ‘manic’ nature of the character. This does not happen however as each ‘manic’ character in the film has something or someone which exposes this manic side of them to the audience, but still keeps the film and the expression of theme in check.
Jemi Bernard’s analysis of ‘American Beauty’ is the sort of article which highlights the main beauty in the film itself; Its ability to be thought-provoking and attract the opinion of many critics and individuals with different opinions of the film and perceptions of the messages and themes which are expressed within ‘American Beauty’.
The article also explores an idea which is not really explored in the film or analysed by many when responding to the film; This being the idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves.
It can be argued that this idea exists in the film, although not the premise of the film itself, it is explored through the use of the characters, Angela and Carolyn; Both of whom want something for themselves or bring something on themselves, whether that is something social or …show more content…
physical.
This idea is also one which ties into the themes of the film; Appearance vs. Reality, Family, Materialism (as a part of the futility of the American dream) and sex and sexuality.
The idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves is one that has moulded and shaped my perception of the film and its themes and messages.
Prior to my critical analysis of this article it seemed that there were only a small, finite amount of messages or ideas that could be related to the visual text ‘American Beauty’.
Jami Bernard’s article detailing the idea of what people want for themselves and what they bring upon themselves and my critical analysis of this article has broadened my understanding of the film’s messages and brought on my realisation of the film’s adaptability and the breadth of messages which relate to this film. After the critical analysis of this article it is clear how many ideas and themes relate to this film when you ‘look closer’; The article has thus shaped and moulded my perception of the film and it’s themes and messages.
The ‘catch-phrase’ of ‘American Beauty’ is certainly something that Adam Norman’s review abides by, taking a magnified look at the themes and messages contained within ‘American Beauty.’
As detailed in the article; “Look closer at the beautiful things we yearn for and spend our life chasing.” [3]
The article looks closer at the messages and ideas of the film, primarily about beauty and how people yearn for things.
We are reminded of how each character yearns for something in the film, this being something that is to do with the theme of the ‘futility of the American dream’ and the pursuit for materialistic perfection in some instances.
The article details how each character has their own pursuit or yearning as a part of ‘looking closer’; A yearning or pursuit which each character believes will somehow get them out of their miserable life;
“For Lester, it is an overwhelming passion for a young girl.” ;
“For his wife, Carolyn, it is becoming the most successful real estate agent in her town.” ;
“For their teenaged daughter Jane, it is changing her physical appearance.” ;
“For their neighbor, Colonel Frank Fitts, it is the semblance of a happy, normal domestic all-American life.”
[4]
By the end of the film most characters have a taste of the dreams they were yearning after and thus discover the “underlying emptiness in their lives.”[5] As detailed in the article;
“Looking closer, they see the decay that has replaced genuine beauty and meaning. Their dreams are nothing but illusions.”
The article shows us how mindless and blind pursuits towards ‘concrete’ and delusional goals can be consequently fruitless, but can also teach us about the lives we lead.
This article like the previous one by Jami Bernard which was critically analysed shows how the film has many messages and themes which within it and when the surface is scratched the film can be related to many others.
The film is summed up by the critic, Adam Norman by the quote in their article which states;
“It is easy to take this film for yet another Hollywood tale about the emptiness and meaninglessness of life stripped from all illusion and pretense. At least that's what I thought until the very last moment of the film when Lester's life literally flashes before his very eyes as we hear his voice speaking from the life beyond. It's a moment that one film critic called, "a grievous, laughable filmmaking mistake." I think it is the film's most compelling scene.”[6]
This is very true. The ending scene can be interpreted in many ways, it can safely said however that it sums up the film and through the quotations by Lester Burnham it shows us that Lester died at peace knowing the ‘fruitlessness’ of his pursuit of happiness to pull him out of the ‘rut’ his life was in. He realises he should have captured and made an effort to retain the happiness which existed in his family long ago.
Andy Norman’s analysis of ‘American Beauty’ is one which highlights some of the main and ‘generic’ themes or messages in the film. It sheds more light on these themes or messages by analysing them more in depth and thus exposing new ideas surrounding these messages.
The article unlike the previous analysed article does not look at new themes or messages that were rarely touched upon in the film, but instead revisits ‘generic’ themes and messages in ‘American Beauty’ and introduces new ideas surrounding them but critically analysing them.
The fact that the article succeeds in uncovering new ideas surrounding previously analysed themes again shows the film’s ability to be thought-provoking and the film’s ability to attract the opinion of many critics and individuals with different opinions of the film and perceptions of the messages and themes which are expressed within ‘American Beauty’.
The article exposes new ideas which address the end scene of the film as the most compelling scene in the film and which detail how each character is in pursuit of something throughout the duration of the film and how this exposes “underlying emptiness in their lives” [6].
The exposure of new ideas surrounding the ‘existing’ themes and messages of the film has moulded and shaped my perception of the film and its themes and messages.
Prior to critical analysis of Andy Norman’s article it seemed that further analysis and exposure of new ideas within ‘existing’ themes and messages was not plausible.
Within the article it is shown how each character’s pursuit towards something in the film exposes an inner emptiness within their lives, something which has not been previously uncovered.
The new ideas ‘exposed’ through previously analysed themes and messages has again broadened my understanding of ‘American Beauty’ and the themes and messages within the film. The article has also made me fully understand that themes and messages which may have already been analysed still hold new ideas and can be expanded upon through further analysis.
Viewing ‘American Beauty’ through the filter of critical reviews has shaped and moulded my perceptions of the film and it’s underpinning themes and messages.
It has exposed to me that despite the fact that themes may have already been analysed they still hold ideas which can be exposed and can be re-interpreted and linked to the theme in question.
The critical reviews of ‘American Beauty’ also ‘unearthed’ other messages and ideas in the film which were rarely or not touched upon in the film.
These messages being exposed had the most influence