A short analysis of the film “American Beauty” with emphasis on the final scene and with regard to the conceptual presentation of the American Dream.
A short analysis of the film “American Beauty” with emphasis on the final scene and with regard to the conceptual presentation of the American Dream
Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten
In the following essay I would like, at the beginning, to give very briefly a summary of the final scene of the film”American Beauty”, firstly released in 1999 and which we saw recently, then to describe the cinematic devices used in this scene and explain their functions, and furthermore, to point out in how far the concept of the “American Dream” is presented in the film.
The final scene of the film”American Beauty” is the last ሿ minutes of the entire film with a full length of ʹʹ ሿ minutes. The final scene starts with the protagonist -the main character- Lester Burnham, portrayed by Kevin Spacey, who is setting in the kitchen and was shot. Then, scenes before and after Lester´s death are shown: Angela in the bathroom hearing the gunshot; Jane and Ricky find him dead in the kitchen; Frank was identified as the killer; Lester´s wife Carolyn returns home and her desperate reaction to her husband´s death. At the same time, Lester´s narration begins, in particular stating that he died happily. To be more detailed, I mixed the concise plot summary above together with part II on applied cinematic devices´ description and functions which enables us to gain a deeper and broader understanding of the whole final scene.
First of all, one sees Lester sitting lonely in the kitchen of his house and smiling at a black-and- white and happy family photograph from Jane´s childhood showing him, his wife, Carolyn, and his daughter Jane holding a teddy bear, being much younger than she today is. There are some red roses on the table, but the light is switched off, it is dark outside. Admiring the photograph, Lester whispers:”Man, oh man… Man, oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man”, which are his last words because at this moment, one also sees a gun appearing and pointing at his back of the head. Without noticing that, Lester slowly turns the photograph down. The camera turns away via the photograph, the roses toward the white wall in front of Lester´s head. A second later, a loud gunshot can be heard and one sees red blood spatters on the wall hesitantly flowing down. Still unknown right now is who the murderer was. Ricky and Jane walk down the stairs and enter the kitchen. Opened the door, a puddle of blood can be seen, dropping down from a white chair toward the bottom. Jane seems to be shocked commenting “Oh my God” and does not move while Ricky approaches the puddle of blood somehow sneering contently. Lester´s body lying on the ground with eyes opened and with blood coming out of his forehead can be seen. In the background a piano playing a sad repetitive melody accompanies the scene.
Shortly after, Lester starting his closing narration: “I'd always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all. It stretches on forever, like an ocean of time. For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout Camp, watching falling stars. And yellow leaves from the maple trees that lined our street. Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper. And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand-new Firebird. And Janie... and Janie. And... Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me, but it's hard to stay mad when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it. And then it flows through me like rain. And I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life. You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry, you will someday. ሿ
Frequently asked questions
What is the essay about?
The essay provides a short analysis of the film "American Beauty," focusing on the final scene and its relationship to the conceptual presentation of the American Dream.
What is the main focus of the analysis?
The analysis focuses on the final scene of "American Beauty," examining the cinematic devices used, their functions, and how the film presents the concept of the "American Dream."
Can you describe the final scene of the film as discussed in the essay?
The final scene depicts Lester Burnham in his kitchen, moments before and after being shot. It includes scenes of Angela hearing the gunshot, Jane and Ricky finding Lester's body, Frank being identified as the killer, and Carolyn's reaction to her husband's death. Lester's narration accompanies these events, stating that he died happily.
What cinematic devices are analyzed in the essay?
The essay analyzes lighting, visual effects (like rain), the use of flashbacks, color (or lack thereof), and camera angles as cinematic devices that contribute to the meaning and impact of the final scene.
How does the essay describe Lester's narration in the final scene?
Lester's narration describes his life flashing before his eyes, focusing on moments of beauty. He expresses gratitude for his life, despite its flaws, and finds contentment in the world's beauty. His narration helps to portray his inner peace and acceptance of his death.
How does the essay relate the final scene to Aristotelian tragedy?
The essay applies Aristotle's theory of tragedy to the film, viewing the final scene as the fifth act. It describes the exposition of the characters, rising conflict, climax, retardation, and ultimately the catastrophic end in Lester's death.
What is the significance of the family photograph in the final scene?
The photograph represents a positive reminiscence of Lester's past with his family, symbolizing a time of unity and happiness. The monochrome color symbolizes the ephemeral nature of that beauty and happiness.
How does the essay interpret the red roses in the kitchen?
The red roses are interpreted as a symbol of love and the importance of family unity. They contrast with the fractured relationships within the Burnham family and serve as a reminder of what Lester has lost.
Why does the essay say the actual shooting is not shown?
The essay suggests that not showing the actual moment of the shooting directly might increase tension and prevent boredom by withholding information about the killer, although viewers will learn of the killer's identity soon.
What is Ricky's reaction to Lester's death, and how is it interpreted in the essay?
Ricky's initial sneering reaction can be understood positively when he looks into Lester’s face and smiles back at Lester, also a kind of beauty in the world and recognizes Lester's inner peace and happiness. The essay also notes a tiny trace of a smile on Lester's face.
- Quote paper
- Yike Guo (Author), 2009, American Beauty - an analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/170559
