I have seen ‘The American Beauty’ for about ten times. Yet each time, Lester’s narrative left me rattled, thoroughly shaken. No doubt, Mendes and Alan were at their creative best.
I have often wondered what’s so mesmerizing about Lester and his narrative. In fact very few movies left me this contend and yet violated. Contend, because there was still hope in your life (now that you have seen Lester’s life just pass before you); violated, because you realize you have been dead (like Lester) all along. The first scene of the ‘shameless jerk off’ in the shower, virtually kicks your conscience.
Does mid life crisis hit you at your mid-thirties? ….Because, I am right there!
Now, to conclude that American Beauty just deals with midlife crisis would be an understatement. That would perhaps be a silly way to interpret Lester’s transformation. Even, to side step the lone psychic or mystic in the story, Ricky, would be like missing the message altogether. Granted, Midlife Crisis is perhaps one of the themes explored in American Beauty. But, instead of sticking stereotype definitions of Lester's issue (“MidLife Crisis : a period of dramatic self-doubt that is felt by some individuals in the "middle years" of life, as a result of sensing the passing of youth and the imminence of old”), my intuition tells me, Lester, in fact transcends to another level of experience where he sees compassion, beauty and saneness all around, especially, when he decides to protect his initial ‘infatuation’ (Angela). And finally you realize, perhaps, he was the only sane person in the movie who saw the futility of it all. In fact, the serene calmness on the lifeless face of a Lester in contentment tells it all.
Then again, nothing compares to the ’15 minute plastic bag dance’ that Ricky shows his love Jane. When I first saw the movie, I didn’t quite grasp it. Of course, your heart or your body recognizes the deeper meaning to it. But with repeated viewing this scene just sticks continues to amaze you. Everything that Ricky says… the enormous beauty of it all … that fact that you can find it in something supposedly as ordinary as a plastic bag, dancing. I have never seen it that way till then. You get ‘conditioned’ to see beauty only in clear blue skies and waterfalls. But to see it in everything, a plastic bag dancing , a dead bird or Lester's dead face is remarkable.
You think there is this dark humor running through every thread and everyone, from Carolyn the Colonel to the faggots next door. But finally, you realize you are unable to accuse anyone of anything as to the ending. The balancing has been perfect with no ‘bad’ character in the movie, leaving, perhaps, only destiny as the culprit.
Last, when Lester’s life just flashes before him. The ‘kodak moments’ in his life…so few… so rich…so sad…so true. Makes you wanna go down and hug your parents and your wife and kids.
Ah! You really feel ‘The unbearable lightness of being’
Bravo! I just cannot thank Sam, Allan and Kevin enough for this wonderful gift.
I have often wondered what’s so mesmerizing about Lester and his narrative. In fact very few movies left me this contend and yet violated. Contend, because there was still hope in your life (now that you have seen Lester’s life just pass before you); violated, because you realize you have been dead (like Lester) all along. The first scene of the ‘shameless jerk off’ in the shower, virtually kicks your conscience.
Does mid life crisis hit you at your mid-thirties? ….Because, I am right there!
Now, to conclude that American Beauty just deals with midlife crisis would be an understatement. That would perhaps be a silly way to interpret Lester’s transformation. Even, to side step the lone psychic or mystic in the story, Ricky, would be like missing the message altogether. Granted, Midlife Crisis is perhaps one of the themes explored in American Beauty. But, instead of sticking stereotype definitions of Lester's issue (“MidLife Crisis : a period of dramatic self-doubt that is felt by some individuals in the "middle years" of life, as a result of sensing the passing of youth and the imminence of old”), my intuition tells me, Lester, in fact transcends to another level of experience where he sees compassion, beauty and saneness all around, especially, when he decides to protect his initial ‘infatuation’ (Angela). And finally you realize, perhaps, he was the only sane person in the movie who saw the futility of it all. In fact, the serene calmness on the lifeless face of a Lester in contentment tells it all.
Then again, nothing compares to the ’15 minute plastic bag dance’ that Ricky shows his love Jane. When I first saw the movie, I didn’t quite grasp it. Of course, your heart or your body recognizes the deeper meaning to it. But with repeated viewing this scene just sticks continues to amaze you. Everything that Ricky says… the enormous beauty of it all … that fact that you can find it in something supposedly as ordinary as a plastic bag, dancing. I have never seen it that way till then. You get ‘conditioned’ to see beauty only in clear blue skies and waterfalls. But to see it in everything, a plastic bag dancing , a dead bird or Lester's dead face is remarkable.
You think there is this dark humor running through every thread and everyone, from Carolyn the Colonel to the faggots next door. But finally, you realize you are unable to accuse anyone of anything as to the ending. The balancing has been perfect with no ‘bad’ character in the movie, leaving, perhaps, only destiny as the culprit.
Last, when Lester’s life just flashes before him. The ‘kodak moments’ in his life…so few… so rich…so sad…so true. Makes you wanna go down and hug your parents and your wife and kids.
Ah! You really feel ‘The unbearable lightness of being’
Bravo! I just cannot thank Sam, Allan and Kevin enough for this wonderful gift.
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