Space: American Beauty

Ever since the realization that suburban life can negatively affect the psychological well-being of an occupant, creators have been trying to communicate this phenomenon through different mediums, such as filmmaking. One film in particular--American Beauty, by Sam Mendes--uses not only brilliant acting, but cinematic techniques to develop the feeling of nothingness so often found in suburban residents. Throughout the film, our protagonist--Lester Burnham--struggles with a mid-life crisis that ends with astronomical consequences. Not only does Lester have to grapple with his sexual fantasies pertaining to his daughter’s best friend, he must also deal with his family’s descent into chaos. Throughout all of these events, the style of the film changes to match Lester’s internal feelings. In the beginning of the film, the depth within the screen is very flat, but as Lester delves into a mid-life crisis, the space deepens to allow for his personal change and growth, yet at key moments, we see depth.

Throughout the beginning of the film, the depth of space is very shallow and flat. Lester--our protagonist--feels trapped and sedated in his daily life, which is only emphasized by the lack of space in which Lester is allowed by the cinematographer. Conrad L. Hall, the cinematographer, shot American Beauty so that Lester never feels as though he has enough space to breathe and be himself. The first instance we see that invokes deeper space is when he first sees Angela, his teenage daughter’s best friend, at their cheerleading performance. This moment causes Lester to “wake-up” from his monotonous life and realize that he can do much more with his life than what he has previously allowed himself to do. As Lester makes more and more decisions that hold the possibility for disaster--quitting his job, taking drugs, and seducing Angela--the space deepens out to suggest and emphasize that Lester is freeing himself from his prison.

One particular scene that demonstrates the relationship between growth and space is when Lester wants to get frisky with his wife, Carolyn. This is shown through each shot by the use of different techniques such as birds eye, frontal plane, and boxed in. Lester is sitting on their couch drinking a beer when Carolyn arrives back at the house. In an attempt to reconnect with his spouse, Lester makes moves to suggest that they partake in some “alone-time.” Carolyn seemingly agrees, and the two start to connect on the couch. During this, the space seems to delve deeper, allowing more angles and moves to be scene, also suggesting that sex is their way of connecting and saving each other.  However, Carolyn notices that in their process, Lester’s beer--which remains in his hand--is tipping. She very suddenly mentions this to Lester, telling him that he’s about to spill his drink on the sofa. Much to her dismay, this angers Lester, as he wanted to be the important part of her life, and so that space--one deep--once again flattens out to show that their attempt at connection is futile.

As the story progresses and Lester grows and develops, the space within the shots deepen to allow for his change. As he discovers who he wants to become and what steps he must take to achieve that, the space in the film deepens to suggest that he as a person is becoming deeper and growing more layers. The film American Beauty was shot in a fashion that allows the viewer to see beyond the surface (when allowed) to delve into the character’s psyche through depth of view.