An Introduction to Film

people; his disturbed, unresponsive wife, Barbara

(Allison Janney); and their teenage son, Ricky (Wes

Bentley), who is part student, part drug dealer,

part poet (he shoots moody videos featuring dead

birds and plastic bags in the wind), and even

though his father abuses him terribly, the most sta-

ble and happy person in the film. The Fittses’ is a

more modest house, also immaculately kept, no

doubt reflecting Frank’s military background. They

appear to be less materialistic and have not tried to

keep up with the Burnhams—their chairs are cov-

ered in plastic, Barbara does not bring home a sec-

ond income—and they have no pretensions to style.

Inside Frank’s den, a locked cabinet holds a gun

collection and a dinner plate from Hitler’s private

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American Beautyuses color for symbolic emphasis

The color red appears often in American Beauty, [1]

sometimes subtly punctuating a shot, as in this image of the

Burnhams’ home, and [2] sometimes dominating the frame,

as in this image from one of Lester’s many fantasies about

Angela (Mena Suvari).

An attractive house in American Beautycannot

conceal the marital disharmony inside The members

of the Burnham family are surrounded by a picture-perfect

decor that many Americans dream of. This aspect of the

mise-en-scène makes the psychological distance between

them all the more striking. They have attained the outward

appearances of the American dream, but at what cost?

[1] The decor of the Burnhams’ dining room reflects Carolyn’s

pretensions to formality: drapes, curtains, framed pictures, a

tablecloth (with place mats to protect it), candles, and each

person seated in a specific place at the table. Somewhat

oddly, though, the floor is bare (a touch of coldness?).

[2] When Lester has been drinking beer and then attempts

to make love to Carolyn on the sofa, she worries that he will

spill the beer. [3] In the ensuing argument, this element of

decor provides a defining moment for them both. Carolyn

shrieks, “It’s a $4,000 sofa upholstered with Italian silk!” to

which Lester responds, “This isn’t life—it’s just stuff!”

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LOOKING AT MISE-EN-SCÈNE 217