American Beauty Scene Analysis

 

Dinner table scene

The scene both starts and begins with photographs with images of Lester's daughter and as a family. this successfully portrays the contrast between the characters closeness as a family, to the long shot of the distant family that the shot follows on to. Within the pictures, all characters express smiles on their faces displaying not only their love and affection towards on another, but how content and happy the family used to be. One image, shows Lester's wife at the front of the photo, with Lester's hand on her shoulder, and his head inclined at their daughter , portraying them as a unity. The dinner table is well set, with roses placed in the center of the table, blocking all three characters. As well as this, roses are embroided onto Lester's daughters jumper.  The Red, white and blue motif continues through the scene, displaying the patriarchy of the country, whilst also reflecting om the title  of the film '  American Beauty.' The lightening within the dinner table scene leaves both Lester and his wife in shade, whilst his daughter is lit, perhaps displaying the dull mood overall in both Lester and his wife's life. the dull choice of bland clothing leaves Lester to be blending into the background of the scene, further suggesting Lester's lack of happiness, and referring to the fist scene in the film where Lester refers to himself as being 'dead' the colour scheme therefore suggests hes dying away into the background of the scene and drifting out of both his wife's and daughters life.

Within the dining scene non - dietetic old fashioned music, what is described by Lester's daughter as ' elevator music', reflects Lester's wife's old fashioned values, or could show how she misses the past and likes to reflect on it, forcing the dining routine to be like it once used to be.  her great extent of effort made for the dinner shows how she is deeply trying to make everything perfect and special for the family, however this is dismissed by her husband and daughter, who appear to be ungrateful towards her efforts.  The mother also appears to have the most authority throughout the scene. This is shown through her great posture, whilst Lester ad her daughter slouch, and also her tone of voice and she snaps at her husband and tell him, off. As Lester mutters under his breathe in reply to her, shows that he's not the alpha male.

The dinner table sitting begins as the camera zooms in extremely slowly, that appears almost unnoticeable to the audience, this also helps to portray the families distance between on another as it contrast of the previous scene where images of the families closeness is shown. The close up of the man looking intently through his video camera, shows the importance of the strangers facial expression, further suggesting what his intentions are and what hes likely to do later in the film. As his face looks angry or concerned it could suggest his intentions are bad an that he is a dangerous man.  The representation of the man also puts Lester's family in a vulnerable position as they are being watched by an enigma.