American Beauty Techniques and Quote Bank

movie opens with an f___-___, ________ shot of the suburban cityscape, uses s________, c________ and a bland ______ palette to portray conformity of American Dream

fly-in, establishing, symmetry, composition, colour

use of _____-_____ as Lester narrates creates i_____; his jaded and disillusioned _____ completely contrasts the ideal of the American Dream

voice-over, irony, tone

the white picket fence house is a visual ______ of the ______ _____: a formula for happiness based on the acquisition of a material checklist

symbol, American Dream

Lester: “I have lost…” (voice-over during exposition of film)

I have lost something. I’m not sure what it is, but I know I didn’t always feel this… sedated

Lester: “it’s okay…” (dialogue, to Buddy Kane)

it’s okay. I wouldn’t remember me either

american beauty ______ are a recurring ______ linked to both Carolyn and Angela, symbolising the superficial standards for success and beauty within the American Dream

roses, motif

Carolyn: “this is a…” (dialogue, to Lester; has let her identity be replaced by material success and status)

this is a $4000 sofa, upholstered in Italian silk. this is not just a couch

Lester: “this isn’t life…” (dialogue, to Carolyn; a superficial set of value inhibit an emotionally fulfilling existence and achieving true happiness)

this isn’t life, it’s just stuff. And it’s become more important to you than living. Well, honey, that’s just nuts

camera _______ during the _______ shot of Lester leaving his job reflects his personal development as he rediscovers his identity

movement, tracking

Lesters emerges from behind vertical balustrades, a visual ______ symbolising the ________ of his office job. quitting allows him to break free from _______ of society and reawaken his _____ emotions

motif, entrapment, superego, dormant

Lester follows his ___, returning to a f_________, almost j_______ state to recapture the vivacity to life. he gains freedom and c_____ over his life by separating his self-_____ from his home life and job

id, fundamental, juvenile, control, worth

Lester: “I’m looking for…” (dialogue, finding new job)

I’m looking for the least amount of responsibility

Lester: “I feel… coma…” (Lester, revitalising dormant emotions)

I feel like I’ve been in a coma for the past 20 years. and I’m just now waking up

Angela: dialogue regarding her virginity

this is my first time

Lester: dialogue regarding epiphany as he truly experiences happiness

I’m great… I’m great

Lester’s _______ is marked by the _____-____ shot of Lester’s face as he stares at the family photograph, symbolises his epiphany that genuine c_______ and a_______ relationships are what is truly important in life

epiphany, close-up, connection, authentic

in death scene, attention is diverted from the ____ through use of l_______ and c_______. by experiencing this moments of true happiness, his ______ is inconsequential

gun, lighting, composition, death

Lester is imprisoned behind the bars of his own _______

microcosm

when the viewers laugh at Carolyn’s naïvity and ________ obsessions, they are unknowingly laughing at ________

materialistic, themselves