American Beauty by Sam Mendes Essay - 2014 Words

American Beauty by Sam Mendes This essay has problems with formating #65279; In American Beauty, 1999, directed by Sam Mendes, we are confronted with the permeating images that have consumed mainstream American life. Mendes exploits these images as constructions that we created around ourselves as a means of hiding our true selves. Mendes is able to implicate us in the construction and make us active viewers by exploiting our voyeuristic nature. In American Beauty Mendes uses the voyeuristic tendencies of the spectator to acknowledge the permeating constructed images. Mendes, through the use of narration, the mise en scene and cinematic techniques implicates the spectator in to using their voyeuristic tendencies to deconstruct†¦show more content†¦The construction of images within the narrative is important to how Mendes constructs them through cinematic techniques. Carolyn Burnham, real estate agent, mother and wife have been, from the very beginning is constructed through the narrative in such a way that the spectator defines her as someone who is consumed by the importance of projecting and maintaining the perfect image. She is often caught, consciously making references concerning images. Referring to Jane Burnham, â€Å"are you trying to look unattractive† or to her husband at a real estate gala â€Å"there’s a certain image . . . † and to herself, â€Å" to be successful one must always put forward an image of success.† These comments are additions to what the spectator has already been subjected to when Lester points out â€Å"that it is not an accident the handles on her pruning sheer’s match her gardening clogs.† Mendes through his depiction of Carolyn in earlier scenes is directing the spectator to be appalled by Carolyn’s obvious shallow and selfish (â€Å"could you make me any later?†) personality. Yet at the same time Mendes gives the spectator reasons to appreciate Carolyn’s obsessive qualities about the projected images. Carolyn respects the dominant ideologies about images, and is consciously aware that she is an object of the gaze. As women areShow MoreRelatedAmerican Beauty By Sam Mendes1008 Words   |  5 PagesAmerican Beauty (1999) is directed by Sam Mendes (also the director of Skyfall and Spectre) and stars Kevin Spacey which examines the â€Å"ordinary† occurances of a family who live a desirable life but are unhappy and stagnant. Kevin Spacey plays the role of Lester Burnham, a suburban father and who is tired of his boring job and family. Within the film are many themes, the most important of these being lust and beauty. 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American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes (1999) and The Virgin Suicides, directed by Sofia Coppola (2000), share many of the same themes even though the plots are contrasted. Underneath the layers of white picketRead Mor eThe Art of Sacrifice as portrayed in the Great Gatsby by F.S. Fitzgerald and American Beauty directed by Sam Mendes.1809 Words   |  8 Pagespreventing evil, is a fascinating art that has long intrigued humankind. In particular, two American texts have captured the essence of it , The Great Gatsby by F.S. Fitzgerald and the 1999 movie American Beauty directed by Sam Mendes. Both texts closely explore the responsibility of an individuals relationship with his or her society for the sacrifices the individual makes; from the disillusionment of the American Dream to how the characters are affected or destroyed by it. In the world of Jay GatsbyRead More The Color Red in American Beauty Essay1628 Words   |  7 PagesThe Color Red in American Beauty The beauty that addresses itself to the eyes is only the spell of the moment; the eye of the body is not always that of the soul. George Sand hit the nail right on the head when he said this in 1872. Appearance versus reality has been a central theme in many American creative works including the film American Beauty. American Beauty is a film that delves into your typical, middle-class suburban American home and slowly uncovers all of the abnormalities thatRead MoreAmerican Beauty By Lester Burnham Essay1557 Words   |  7 Pagescharacter of American Beauty. American Beauty is a 1999 film that provides a look into the lives of a modern married couple that is dealing with issues within their relationship. As the story progresses, it is easily identifiable that the roles of the husband and wife are not what the viewers would expect. On the other hand, the homosexual couple presented throughout the movie seems to be the normal pair. Furthermore, society’s definition of beau ty and contentment is questioned. Throughout American BeautyRead MoreThe Techniques Used in American Beauty Essay1140 Words   |  5 PagesThe ï ¬ lm American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes is a ï ¬ lm about imprisonment and escape from imprisonment (Mendes, 1999). American Beauty explores the breakdown of a suburban family man whose life journeys from self loathing and emptiness to freedom and liberation but at the ultimate cost of his life. Mendes effectively employs a range of techniques to help convey the meaning of this ï ¬ lm such as set design, camera angles, colour and soundtrack. 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