Unpacking the Meaning behind “American Beauty”: A Comprehensive Analysis
The movie “American Beauty” is a masterpiece that explores several themes, including beauty, love, and American society. The movie’s plot revolves around a middle-aged man named Lester Burnham, who is bored with his life and his job. He becomes infatuated with his daughter’s friend, Angela, and starts to change his life in unexpected ways. In this article, we will analyze the meaning behind “American Beauty” and the cultural, social, and philosophical messages embedded in the movie.
The Beauty in American Society
One of the themes highlighted in “American Beauty” is the meaning of beauty in American society. The movie suggests that beauty is not just a physical attribute but also a psychological state. Lester Burnham’s pursuit of beauty leads him to reconnect with his teenage desires, quit his job, and start to exercise and change his body. However, this pursuit of beauty is ultimately meaningless and leads him towards an existential crisis.
The movie also portrays the emptiness of the beauty industry through the character of Angela, who is obsessed with beauty and physical attractiveness. She uses makeup, sex, and seduction to manipulate other people, ultimately leading to her own downfall. The movie suggests that the pursuit of beauty in American society can be both superficial and destructive.
The Illusion of Happiness
Another major theme in “American Beauty” is the illusory nature of happiness. The movie suggests that happiness is a fleeting and subjective emotion that can be easily disrupted by external factors. For example, Lester Burnham’s rebellion against his dull and unfulfilling life is initially followed by a sense of freedom and happiness. However, as he becomes more and more disconnected from his family and job, his happiness turns into despair and confusion.
The movie also illustrates the illusion of happiness through the character of Carolyn, Lester’s wife. Carolyn is obsessed with success, driven by her desire to achieve the “American Dream.” However, her obsession with success blinds her to the fact that her family is falling apart, and her marriage is on the verge of collapsing.
A Critique of American Society
“American Beauty” can also be seen as a social critique of American society. The movie criticizes the superficiality, conformity, and materialism of American culture. For example, the Burnham’s suburban neighborhood is portrayed as a soulless, generic space, where everyone seems to live the same unfulfilling life. The movie suggests that American society is obsessed with projecting the image of success, even if it means sacrificing personal happiness.
Furthermore, the movie highlights issues of gender and sexuality. It suggests that American society is still deeply influenced by traditional gender roles and sexual repression. Lester’s infatuation with Angela and Ricky’s unconventional sexual preferences are shocking and illuminating at the same time. The movie shows that American society is still struggling with issues of sexual and gender identity.
Conclusion
“American Beauty” is one of the most iconic movies of the 1990s. It explores complex themes and offers a critical analysis of American society. The movie’s message is clear: the pursuit of beauty, success, and happiness may be illusory and ultimately lead to despair. “American Beauty” reminds us that true beauty and happiness can be found in simple things, such as family, love, and self-acceptance. The movie is a timeless masterpiece and deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest movies ever made.
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