This is my first time watching “American Beauty” and I absolutely fell in love with the film. Somehow this film reminds me of an indie film, exploring all ends of abnormal circumstances. American Beauty is a film that discovers the life of an unbalanced family who’s searching for acceptance. In searching for acceptance the family lives becomes clear to them. Lester, the father wants acceptance from his wife Caroline and from his daughter Jane. Jane boyfriend Ricky wants acceptance from his father. All of the character lives becomes much intertwined with one another, similar to “ Crash”.

The opening scene starts out foreshadowing Jane telling Ricky that she wants him to kill her father. Even though Ricky didn’t physically kill Lester he unconsciously killed him by telling his father he was involved with Lester.

Symbolism contributed a lot to telling of the story. The color red was predominantly seen in every scene. Red roses, red car, red clothing, and a red door. The roses could have represented Life and Death. Bushes of roses surrounds the houses turning it into a funeral home. Everytime Caroline cuts a rose from the bushes it reduces the amount of life going into the house. The rose could also represent beauty when Lester fantasizes about kissing Jane’s bestfriend Angela. A rose petal floats from Angela’s mouth, creating an image of his beauty.

The Cinematography of American Beauty was spectacular, especially at the last scene when Caroline was walking towards the house in the rain. This scene reminded me of a Hitchcock film. The light in the background illuminated the power that Caroline had. However, when the director fades out into another scene it diminishes the power that she had.
This film is a great example of what a film should look and sound like.