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American-Beauty.
Dissect this movie - Understand its structure.
American-Beauty
by
JeffNewman
Why not print this great article out for reading on the sofa, with your favourite drink in hand. ...
A Non-Traditional Structure
For details of his script evaluation service, contact Jeff at storynotes@aol.com
Alan Balls screenplay for AMERICAN-BEAUTY won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay of 1999, and the film won Best Picture. ... American-Beauty brought in 130 million dollars domestically, making it the 13th highest-grossing film of its year. ... American-Beauty.Even for those who did not care for the movie as much as others, it is worthy of study, since it was so admired and so well received by so many.
So lets examine this film for its structure. Its an offbeat, highly individual film. It clearly doesnt adhere, at least not strictly, to traditional Hollywood structure. ... Even the dialogue in American-Beauty will be glossed over. ...
PREMISE/CONCEPT in American-Beauty
"The individual members of a dysfunctional, joyless family struggle to find happiness and to connect with others. ...
Given that quite a few scenes -- about half, when added together -- dont feature Lester at all, while it can be said hes the main character (he provides the narration, hes the first character we see, and its his death that weve been leading toward), still, we really couldnt say that this movie is about Lester and his problems, desires, and goals. ...
Its an ensemble story. American-Beauty. ... And its closer to what the premise for a more traditionally structured film would be (although most films would have a more specific problem and/or goal within the premise). ... They have been fooled into thinking that the American Dream involves materialism and status, and that these things will provide joy. ... Its too silly or too mundane.
In this case, the premise is quite clear, and it informs the movie. ...
ORCHESTRATION OF CHARACTERS in American-Beauty
In a well-orchestrated cast, there is a blend of similarities and opposites, as well as a few traits that are merely different -- individually distinctive. ... While he, too, projects a false image and keeps secrets, its mainly just to his father. ... And while the Burnham family, and his own parents, are wallowing in misery, Ricky has been able to find moments of bliss, and to see beauty in things that others would see as merely mundane or even ugly. ... Lester criticizes less than she does, and when he does, its often rather clever, either in substance or in delivery. ... When he does criticize, its brief, perceptive, and incisive, as when he sees his father for who he is, and says it aloud to him, or when he silences Angela with the truth. ... They share just enough traits -- more than enough, perhaps -- to attract our attention and to make it plausible that they are a coherent group with some shared interests, traits, or values, and that can, to a degree, relate with and understand each other. ... And a trait or value will be best noticed when paired with its opposite.
In American-Beauty some may feel that some of the characters dont sufficiently seem like flesh-and-blood people -- that to too large a degree, they are walking symbols and archetypes, more than they are manifestations of real people. ... And for those men -- in and out of the military -- who do hate homosexuals, its only rarely due to their own repressed homosexuality. Its not true that most gay haters are like that because they are secretly gay themselves and are trying to cover it up, or are overcompensating for it, or turning their inward disgust outward. ... In terms of a structural analysis of American-Beauty the quality of the characterization is somewhat incidental. ... American-Beauty.
UNITY OF OPPOSITES in American-Beauty
What unites these characters, despite their differences and conflicts? ... And she is gladdened that he likes her so much, and sees the beauty within her. ... And now that Lester knows his secret, its likely that thats the reason Fitts feels that Lester must die -- partly due to the rejection, partly the anger regarding his son, but mainly wanting to blot out the one person who knows the truth about himself (Fitts). ...
FORESHADOWING & PLANTING in American-Beauty.
Lesters death at the end of the story isnt merely foreshadowed; its foretold. Given the structure and development in the first half of the screenplay, this was a wise move. ... Earlier, in a car conversation regarding the "two Jims," its clear that homosexuality is a hot-button issue with this guy. ...
And since were meant to speculate on who is going to be the one to kill Lester, its important that someone besides Colonel Fitts has access to a gun. ... Thus, theres a plausible reason she has a gun and knows how to use it, and a plausible reason that its handy when helpful to the story. ... But still, its there: to take charge of his life. ... In this case, its away from spiritual and emotional fulfillment, and toward a starvation of the soul. ... Its also to continue projecting a false image and to preserving The Secret (but we dont realize that until later, so its not effective structurally). More specifically, its to keep tabs on Ricky (urine tests, searching his room, spying on him). ... Shes impressed by him, and pleased he likes her so much, and sees her as physically beautiful, as well as appreciating her inner beauty. ... In the course of the movie, its to impress others with her beauty and to hide the fact shes still a virgin while "impressing" them with her worldly ways and desirability. ... Thus, its not until around the middle that we get a sense of direction and some forward focus. ... American Beauty is, in some respects, far richer thematically than most Hollywood films. ...
So American Beauty has much more on its mind (so to speak) than do most mainstream films. ...
THEME #1 in American-Beauty
Certainly one theme is of the superficiality of American society -- how it is overly concerned with appearances, not substance. ...
THEME #2 in American-Beauty
Related to this is the theme of the superficiality and destructiveness of our pursuit and idolization of materialism. ... In fact, its an extraordinarily common theme, and has been since the 1950s in American literature, theater, and cinema. Still, its worth portraying again, every now and then, for new audiences.
Its this same obsessive pursuit of the Almighty Dollar, status, superficial beauty (such as a four-thousand dollar sofa), the latest gadgets, conveniences, luxuries, and "new, cool, in" fashions and objects, that leads people to neglect their mental health and their relationships with others. ... Indeed, its quite some time before any of the main characters ever smile, except for fake smiles (Lester at work, Carolyn to Jim near the beginning, and to her prospects when shes trying to sell that house). ...
But its a long while before any of the main characters displays a genuine smile. ... So its still not a totally natural smile, since it needed artificial stimulation to bring it about. Its genuine, but not naturally forthcoming. ...
THEME #3 in American-Beauty
Another reason they are miserable is that most of the characters are not truthful. ...
THEME #4 in American-Beauty
Yet another theme -- and possibly meant as the primary one -- is about how second chances are possible . ... So its not quite clear what the philosophy is here about second chances. ... Or are they futile -- just as you are on the verge of achieving it, its snatched away in some manner? ...
The two articulated themes are: There is much beauty in the world, so much that it can be difficult to bear. ...
Lets examine the "there is so much beauty in the world" theme first. ... This theme is a variation of the old "Appearances often do not reflect reality" theme -- that all that glitters is not gold, and we should not judge a book by its cover.
While there is a relationship to the "There is much beauty in the world, even where others would only see something mundane, distasteful, or ugly" with the "We Are Superficial Because We Are Fooled by Appearances" theme, the second theme is well illustrated by the events and the characterizations. Is the "beauty" theme? ... Not much beauty there. ... He doesnt mean physically, since he realizes beauty is indeed, skin deep and superficial. ... So the statement that there is so much beauty in the world may or may not be true, but it simply hasnt been illustrated or depicted in this film. Weve seen pockets or oases of beauty, but thats all. ... and take the time to notice the moments of beauty around us. ... But it is not a true structural throughline theme, nor is the theme about the abundance of beauty in the world. That may or may not be true, but it isnt true in the world of this story as its been portrayed. Weve seen flashes of beauty, latent beauty. But that beauty has been engulfed by ugliness and misery. ... And that articulated theme is something along the lines of "Its never too late for second chances. ... When that theme is verbalized (in Voice Over narration by Lester, speaking from his afterlife) he says that its never too late. ...
So while American-Beauty is rich with ideas, some of them are (to some) overly familiar. ... and its free as COUNTER-THEME
Counter-theme isnt used to any significant effect here. ... No one argues that while there is much beauty in the world, if you look for it, theres much more ugliness, cruelty, and misery. ... If its the Theme, then -- if the Counter-Theme was persuasive and alluring -- it makes the "triumph" of the theme that much more significant. ... Fate/Chance/Luck: Its Lesters bad luck that Fitts is the kind of guy he is. ... Once youre deep in a rut, its hard to extricate yourself. Once youve developed a set pattern of thought -- due to cultural conditioning and habit -- its hard to shake it and see a different way of thinking and acting. ... So yes, its difficult for Lester to fix his life. ... However, since his death is due to a quirky event out of his control, its not as though his life were at stake throughout the movie.
And its not just Lesters soul -- that is, his psychic happiness and self-worth. ... and if he hadnt died, its likely he would have connected with Jane if he had a chance), asserting himself, and finding some joy in life. ...
Overall, the Throughline Structure is quite strong.
MAJOR PLOT EVENTS/TURNING POINTS
Since this film is very non-traditional in style and structure, it would not be expected to contain all or most of the Major Turning Points and Plot Events that are seen in most mainstream films.
Since these events, when used effectively, do help with a films structure . ... then, if traditional Turning Points and Plot Events are not used, we expect to see how well the structure holds up, and if some other means were used to maintain structural strength. ...
So lets examine these commonly seen Major Plot Events, Story Milestones, or Turning Points which are found in many movies, to see which, if any, are present in American Beauty.
BACKSTORY in American-Beauty
Key Backstory Event(s): American-Beauty
Does Backstory influence the present, and the actions of these characters? ...
We dont know exactly when or why things started to go wrong -- buying into the wrong American Dream, we assume. ...
There is also some backstory in American-Beauty-- more specific this time -- with Ricky. ...
EXPOSITION & SETUP in American-Beauty
All of the exposition is handled in an interesting way -- mainly via Voice Over narration by Lester, complementing, illustrating, commenting on, or contrasting with the images and events that we witness. ...
Usually, the majority of the setup in American-Beautyoccurs in the first 15-20 minutes, with some additional setup after that until roughly the one-quarter point. ...
OPENING IMAGE/EVENT - American-Beauty
The opening image is of Jane on videotape, discussing how her father is a lame-o and disgusting, and how he should be killed. ... Theres a reason for that -- its late fall, winter, or very early spring, not summer -- but the real reason is to visually suggest the barrenness of the people who live there. ...
INITIAL DESIRE, DREAM, GOAL, AND/OR PROBLEM - American-Beauty
To give focus, energy, and direction to the first minutes of a film -- prior to the end of the first act, or the full launching of the story -- one or more of the principal characters usually has an Initial Goal and/or Problem. ...
Lester doesnt really have an Initial Goal in the first section of the movie -- not until he sees Angela, which happens about 16 minutes into the film. ... Her problem is that its not a very desirable home, and none of the prospects she shows it too (all unsmiling) want to buy it. ... Its a kind of Foundational Event . ... However, there are no rules for its placement (even for its presence). ...
HOOK in American-Beauty
There are really three hooks, in quick succession. ...
So most people seeing the movie (or reading this version of the script) would certainly be hooked -- for a time, at least. ...
CLARIFYING EVENT in American-Beauty
This is something that, when used, usually occurs around 14-20 minutes into the story.
Here, its combined with the late Catalyst -- Lesters seeing Angela, and being smitten with her. ... For a Catalyst, thats anywhere from minute one to minute 12 (here its about minute 16). For a Clarifying Event/Story Click, its usually between 14-20; here its a bit later. ...
END OF ACT 1 - American-Beauty
This just-discussed event -- Lester starts to work out (pumping weights) in his garage -- might seem, on the first viewing of the film (or reading of the screenplay) to be the End of Act 1. ...
Its a fairly subtle turning point. ...
Now its possible the writer (Alan Ball) wasnt thinking in terms of acts at all, although, with his TV writing background, hes certainly familiar with them. ...
I believe its basic psychology that the audience wants to know what the heart of the story is by 30 or 35 minutes . ...
The fact that American Beauty deviated from this and was still lauded and successful shows how flexible these guidelines and principles are. ...
Its worth noting that since we at first assume that Lesters working out (pumping the dumb-bells in the garage) is a signal that his major goal is going to be to get in shape for Angela and to pursue her -- to Have Angela -- then at that time, and for a few scenes and a few minutes later, at least -- that event functions as a kind of "faux" End of Act 1. Linda Seger refers to this sort of thing as a "Phantom Turning Point" -- its a pseudo, substitute, turning point .
Approximate Word count = 12351
Approximate Pages = 49.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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