Look Closer…
The movie tagline admonishes it viewers.
Look Closer…
Beneath those white picket fences and neatly manicured lawns, there's a hidden but real tragedy in those American households and everywhere else. Beneath the seemingly perfect marriage, a depressed Lester is having a mid-life crises and wife Carolyn is obsessed with her career. Daughter Jane is rebelling against her parents, befriends popular Angela and falls for the strange boy, Ricky. Beneath the cheerleader popularity, Angela, is an insecure girl making up sex escapades stories. Beneath the strict and imposing father of Ricky, Col. Fitts, a retired marine colonel, is a closet gay needing affection.
Nine years and counting, I have yet to see a film that can rival this film's depth, breadth and raw nakedness of modern life's portrayal of tragedy. (Am I such a sucker for pain? More on this, later). This Oscar Best Picture Awardee is directed by first time director Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball, the same guy that gave us the morbid TV series Six Feet Under.
The real beauty of this film lies on its very simple but undeniable truth that beneath our seemingly ordinary little lives is a tragedy. American Beauty tackles the tragedy of a typical American family, but it is really a microcosm of tragedy that befalls in all of us. Look around. Look closely. Things don't really appear as they are. Beneath those millions of screaming fans, is a movie star wanting one true companion. Behind the leather-covered executive planner, is a soul needing time alone. Behind those candlelit dinner and passionate lovemaking, is a partner wanting space. Behind those happy and loving families, is a flinging spouse. Behind those successful careers, is a lonely single executive wanting to have a family. Behind those neat houses and well-fed families, is a harassed housewife. Behind those nice jobs and sheltered lives, is a person searching for meaning…The list could go on. You could fill in some more, if you are a true human being.
The film gave us one of the greatest realizations about life: That shit happens and life sucks big time. Am I such a sucker of pain, because I like this film? Far from that. The movie did wallow in the misery of its characters. But it didn't stop there. The movie's story went on and redeems itself. In fact, the glory of this film lies on giving us the second of the greatest realization that we could make in this life: That in every tragedy is redemption. With all the misery and pain, life is still beautiful. That inspite of all shit that happens, this life is still cool.
In the end, Lester didn't find his redemption from his misery in this earthly existence. He met his untimely death. His soul was floating in the cloud. He had finally got his redemption. This is his realization:
“I guess I could be pretty pissed of about what happened to me...but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst...
And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life...
You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure... but don't worry...You will someday.”
The true beauty in life is that there is always a redemption in every tragedy, whether you're an American or not.
