English Film Essay

Question: It is the directors purpose to manipulate the audience to a point where they feel
uncomfortable. (STRONGLY AGREE)
Our society tends to be materialistic, greedy and fake but although we are aware of it, the majority of us
choose to turn a deaf ear to the issue and not say anything regarding the matter. Everyone does it, and
even though it is wrong, no one really cares. However, its a completely different matter when we see it
in action thus we strongly agree with the given statement. The film American Beauty by Sam Mendes
challenges us to think of our own ideals and values as he tackles different issues such as materialism and
adultery in our society today.
(AMERICAN BEAUTY IS UGLY)
America has been arguably hailed as the worlds trendsetters and one of the things they started was
the idea that having more is better. Celebrities left and right build their reputations on their
possessions and businesses compete by releasing endless versions of their products. No wonder their
citizens carry those same values, as seen in the film. Mendes made sure to highlight the trait of
materialism and how dangerous it was. For example, the film revolved around the American Dream
and how everyone strived to meet the standards of society, of themselves. Carolyn, a real estate agent
who dressed, talked, and even walked like a successful businesswoman, is a fine example of someone
who lived a life fixated on success alone, which she thought she would gain through possessing more.
She possessed many beautiful furnitures and clothes, but through Mendes use of color, the same
colors she wore and the furnitures in her house shows how plain and undynamic she really is in reality.
Her desire for success led to her committing adultery with Buddy, not because she loved him, but
because she saw her dreams in him- money, fame and status. Mendes illustrates how our greediness
can cause us to incorrectly prioritize, which is something most people (particularly a North American
audience) would not want to hear.
(PRIVATE MATTERS SHOULD BE KEPT PRIVATE)
We as individuals always have something we are better off keeping to ourselves, private matters that we
do not want others to see, and to see them being done by others would make anyone uncomfortable. In
this film, Mendes incorporated many scenes that were very difficult to watch and one of them was part
of the opening scene where Lester, the protagonist, was introduced masturbating in the shower
accompanied by him saying how this will be the highlight of my day. Starting it off with such a scene
sets the mood as it showed something very personal from the beginning. In addition, our fantasies are
not always as innocent as wed like them to be, thus to see Lesters fantasies about Angela and how he
was sexually attracted to her was very uncomfortable. Close up shots were used to expand on this idea
to compensate for the absence of dialogue such as the close up of Lesters eyes when he looks at
Angela, his hands creeping onto her, and even his lips smiling at the thought of her. Why does this make
us so uncomfortable explore that idea.. In addition, Mendes used color to show that Angela puts back
the color in his life, as red roses were constantly used against the dull colors of brown and greys to
illustrate his passion and lust after her. Furthermore, Mendes use of repetitive discordant music gives
off an air of uneasiness and malaise as the idea of an older man lusting after her daughters best friend
comes to life. To know that he was thinking about her in a certain way was uncomfortable enough, and
to see it in action was worse. He manipulated his viewers to feel this way because he sees it as
something that is not morally correct. He wants us to think about our own dreams and fantasies and
whether or not they are really worth pursuing.
(YOUNG GIRLS FLAUNTING SOMETHING THEY SHOULDNT)

Commented [RD1]: Not a plural as America is seen as the

singular here

Commented [RD2]: Merging of her clothes into her bland

decorating style?
Commented [RD3]: Again, furniture is a plural

Commented [RD4]: His voiceover

Commented [RD5]: for

Commented [RD6]: Mendes - because here it sounds like

Lester is manipulating us

We always say that when it comes to love, age does not matter, however when we see news of couples
who are 20 years apart, somehow the saying does not sound sweet anymore. It is especially true when it
involves someone of my age like Angela in the film. She wanted to be desired and lusted upon, and lived
a lie by spreading rumors about herself like how she was not a virgin anymore when in reality she was
everything but. In our society today, most teenagers think that confidence lies in ones sexual
experience and the term virginity is frowned upon. People think of losing virginity as something
normal and expected of the younger generation today that it saddens me to think that the societys
expectations of us have dropped so low. This is why Angelas character makes me uncomfortable
because she embodied the desire of the youth today- to be powerful through their appearances.
Mendes made it clear through dialogue when Angela said If people I don't even know look at me and
want to f*** me, it means I really have a shot at being a model, which is in addition with her foul
mouth as she was always cussing at others and didnt hesitate to use offensive language. Her pride in
her body was also made apparent with her always in her underwear and wearing revealing outfits. It
makes me uncomfortable how much she values what others thought of her that she is willing to make
up a story about her whole life.
Its not really clear in here how in control of costume Mendes is thats a point you dont quite make.
Each person are unique to their own selves however most of todays generation force themselves to
meet the standards of society, which they can never attain in the first place because it is nothing but
virtual perfection. In the film, we strongly agree with the given statement as Mendes indeed
manipulated us through using cinematography such as dialogue, music and color to highlight the issues
of materialism and adultery as a result from peoples desire of success and acceptance, as seen in the
characters of Carolyn, Angela and Lester. Mendes reminds us of the consequences of focusing on the
wrong things in life and made us uncomfortable in the process which was very effective since he didnt
sugarcoat the negativity in our society today. He challenges us to think of our own values by reminding
us that life is bigger than our sinful desires such as lust and pride, and much more special than our
possessions and status.
At the moment this is at Achieved + level because you need to include more of the techniques into the
essay. You have done well to comment on the social aspects but need to tie it more closely with the
actual technical details of the film and Mendes manipulation. Id like to see you concentrate more on
WHY we feel uncomfortable in each instance and what specific (rather than generalized question our
own morals kind of answer) feeling it extracts from us. Guilt? Fear? Loneliness? What empathies of ours
is Mendes working on?
I have attached another American Beauty essay from an old student and marked by a different teacher
that is done on similar lines this was before the to what extent kind of question but you will see that
she doesnt refer closely enough to the text eitherits a challenge striking a balance and it largely
depends on the question you get.
Feel free to discuss America as a largely corrupt, avaricious nation use emotive terms they spur on
more interesting argument!
Looking forward to seeing more!
Ms D

Commented [RD7]: Complicated and the meaning goes astray

break it into 2 or 3 sentences to retain the meaning

Commented [RD8]: When we look at this in combination with

her offensive vocabulary we this has to lead on to something you
cant just say which is in addition to. Without giving a pov
Commented [RD9]: Mendes always placing her

Commented [RD10]: Is another one of those sneaky plural

things! Each = 1
Commented [RD11]: We firmly align ourselves with Mendes as
he indeed
Commented [RD12]: of
Commented [RD13]: for
Commented [RD14]: makes