By mid-November 1999 the $15 million production American Beauty (1999) by Sam Mendes had already earned $65.6 million. It won five Academy Awards and three Golden Globes and provoked a lot of discussion after its release. It presents the story of Lester Burnham who at the age of 42 realises that he has lost his joy in life. His marriage to Carolyn Burnham just lasts to keep up appearances, he cannot fulfil himself in his job and his relationship to his daughter is rather distanced and problematic, consequently he encounters himself right in a stage of midlife crisis.
Among others, it won the Award for Best Camera which is not surprising when we consider all the interesting shots and camera angles and the whole mise-en-scène. But the most eye-catching part of the composition is the contrast of colours. Whereas in nearly the whole movie we find restrained, pastel colours like white, grey, and blue as the dominant ones, for example in the interior of Lester’s house, the colour red in specific scenes is the most outstanding one. It is used for very special objects, as for the entrance of Lester’s house and the red roses that accompany every of Lester’s fantasies about Angela, a school friend of his daughter Jane.
In the following, I will show how the colour red can be understood as a symbol for Lester’s lost and newly emerging dreams.
Firstly, I will briefly demonstrate how the red entrance of his house begins to make Lester aware of his restrictedness and loss of freedom as well as the increasing disintegration of his family.
Then secondly, I will switch to the most powerful image of the movie, the red rose. It has a different meaning for Lester, depending on if it is seen with Carolyn or with Angela. Whereas with Carolyn, the roses remind Lester even more of the decay of his family and their thwarted love, the rose petals that he imagines escorting Angela are symbols of his newly emerged sexual desire. He feels engaged to change his monotonous life and the red colour accompanies his transition and reminds him of his dreams.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The red entrance
- 3. Red roses
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the symbolic use of the color red in Sam Mendes's American Beauty, focusing on how it represents Lester Burnham's lost and rediscovered dreams. The analysis uses specific scenes and camera techniques to illustrate the connection between the color red and Lester's emotional and psychological journey.
- The symbolism of color in film
- Midlife crisis and the search for meaning
- The disintegration of the nuclear family
- The contrast between appearance and reality
- Themes of freedom and confinement
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the critical and commercial success of American Beauty (1999). It introduces Lester Burnham, a 42-year-old man experiencing a midlife crisis, and establishes the film's striking use of color contrast, particularly the prominence of red amidst a palette of pastels. The chapter foreshadows the analysis of red as a symbol of Lester's lost and re-emerging dreams, outlining the structure of the ensuing argument.
2. The red entrance: This chapter focuses on the recurring motif of the red entrance to Lester's house. The analysis begins with the initial scene depicting the family leaving their home, highlighting the camera angles and composition that emphasize the red door as a central element. The red door is interpreted as a symbol of Lester's confinement and the disintegration of his family. The chapter explores how the color red acts as a visual warning, representing Lester's awareness of his restricted life and dissatisfaction. The chapter also analyzes subsequent scenes featuring the red door, illustrating Lester's growing desire to escape his unhappy circumstances and reclaim his dreams. The analysis connects the red door to the broader themes of societal constraints and the feeling of being trapped within dysfunctional systems, referencing Michel Foucault's concept of "implicit systems in which we find ourselves prisoners."
Keywords
American Beauty, Sam Mendes, color symbolism, red, midlife crisis, family dysfunction, freedom, confinement, mise-en-scène, camera angles, Lester Burnham, dreams.
American Beauty: A Comprehensive Language Preview - FAQ
What is this document?
This document is a comprehensive language preview providing an overview of a paper analyzing the symbolic use of the color red in Sam Mendes's film American Beauty. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the main focus of the analysis?
The analysis focuses on the symbolic use of the color red in American Beauty, particularly how it represents Lester Burnham's midlife crisis, lost dreams, and eventual rediscovery of self.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the symbolism of color in film, midlife crisis and the search for meaning, the disintegration of the nuclear family, the contrast between appearance and reality, and themes of freedom and confinement.
What specific aspects of the film are analyzed?
The analysis utilizes specific scenes and camera techniques, particularly focusing on the recurring motif of the red entrance to Lester Burnham's house. It also considers the broader mise-en-scène and camera angles to support its interpretations.
How is the color red interpreted?
The color red is interpreted as a symbol of Lester Burnham's confinement, his dissatisfaction with his life, and his growing desire to escape his unhappy circumstances and reclaim his dreams. It represents a visual warning signaling his awareness of his restricted life.
Which theoretical concepts are used in the analysis?
The analysis references Michel Foucault's concept of "implicit systems in which we find ourselves prisoners" to explain the feeling of confinement and societal constraints experienced by Lester Burnham.
What is included in the chapter summaries?
The document provides summaries for each chapter: an introduction setting the stage and outlining the argument; a chapter focusing on the red entrance as a symbol of Lester's confinement and desire for escape; and a concluding chapter (implied).
What are the keywords associated with the paper?
Keywords include American Beauty, Sam Mendes, color symbolism, red, midlife crisis, family dysfunction, freedom, confinement, mise-en-scène, camera angles, and Lester Burnham.
What is the intended audience for this document?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting the structured and professional analysis of themes within American Beauty.
Where can I find the full paper?
The full paper is not included in this preview. This document serves as a comprehensive overview of its contents.
- Quote paper
- Stefanie Brunn (Author), 2008, American Beauty: Use of the red colour as a symbol of Lester's forgotten dreams, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/118170
