American Beauty
Lester Burnham, a suburbanite, recounts his final weeks, which were void of any knowledge of his impending death. Jane Burnham, a high school student and Carolyn Burnham’s husband, is his father. Lester and Carolyn used to love each other but now they just tolerate one another. Jane, a typical wallflower, also dislikes her parents. The three live apart in silence at home. Jane is determined to avoid her parents. Carolyn is relatively new in the realty business and wants to be a success. She aims to become Buddy Kane the local king of real estate. Lester is a simple man who walks aimlessly throughout his daily life. He is being laid off by his company and must justify it to his new efficiency specialist to retain his job. Lester’s life changes when he meets Jane Hayes, a more senior classmate. Janie as well as Angela see Lester’s infatuation for Angela (who attracts such attention from any men) to be a sign she is model material. She has appeared in Seventeen, and it is a job she dreams of. Lester’s love affair with Angela has given him an entirely new outlook on life. He doesn’t care what others think about his actions, except Angela. The Fittses move in next door to replace the homophobic US Marine Colonel Frank Fitts. He rules with a military fist, his semi-comatose wife Barbara Fitts and their 18-year old son Ricky Fitts. Ricky is openly compliant with his father’s rules, but lives behind closed doors with his very own perspective. Like Lester, Ricky quickly falls in love with Jane. He considers Angela ordinary girls. Each player must confront what’s really in their hearts after Angela and the Fittses enter the Burnhams lives. –Huggo
Genre: Drama
Director: Sam Mendes
Actors: Allison Janney, Annette Bening, Chris Cooper, Kevin Spacey, Mena Suvari, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Country: United States
