For Sunday's Signs and Wonders we watched one of my favorite films of the 90s, American Beauty. I think Sam Mendes is a great director and crafts his films well. I'm really looking to the next Bond movie, which he directs.
The writing is excellent in this film. I think it captures what we all want to say perfectly. Realistically we don't always get our points across like these characters do, but I think there is someone that anyone can relate to in this film. It speaks so much to us about our life, especially suburban culture that took over the 20th century. This is not exclusive to the US, but it obviously spun towards it.
For the first third of the film no one really feels like themselves. This is something that can strike a chord in any of us. We have all felt stuck. Going through the motions. Wondering what's the point. I like how this film stops to think "Why? What is going on here? Why do we value the things we do? What has become of life?" Even better, I don't think the film answers all of those questions, but it does make us think about them, which is very important. I love the freedom you feel along with Les when he tells off his boss, quits his job, and applies for a job with no responsibility. In real life these are all bad ideas, but maybe it will help us think to go after what we enjoy doing. We live vicariously through Les. When he says "It's just a couch!" I hope we all realized what he was saying. I hope we can learn not to put such emphasis on materials.
I think this film is all about perspective and values. It doesn't really draw a clear line. It shows us what each character values and thinks. And that's the real beauty of the film. Ricky finds everything beautiful. I think he's insane, but he's onto something. He's the one person getting enjoyment out of life, and he has a pretty crappy life. Luckily he has an affect on Jane, and she becomes comfortable with herself. This film makes us question our lives. I hope it has helped some people go after what they really want. This is a powerful film that luckily got a widespread audience, a rarity these days.
"This isn't life, it's just stuff. And it's become more important to you than living. Well, honey, that's just nuts."
-Les
I always found the most prevalent theme of this film to be The American Dream, and how often people create this illusion of happiness over their lives. There are so many layers to this movie, I could watch it a hundred times over. But in the end I think it borrows elements from The American Dream theme; this human desire to always want more even when the "ideal" is achieved.
ReplyDeleteIt makes one wonder what is truly the most important aspects of a life, and on what grounds happiness and contentment is measured.
But this film is one of my favorites. Kevin Spacey is just... fantastic.
Yeah I definitely think The American Dream (and what parody is has become) is the main theme for this film, at least for Les' family. And yes, Spacey can do no wrong.
ReplyDelete