Film Analysis: American Beauty Directed By Sam Mendes

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In the film “American Beauty” directed by Sam Mendes, he uses a lot of different themes but one in particular that comes across the strongest is the one about happiness, what it means and how it is seen by each character. Also how the small things in life make you the happiest Many examples of individual happiness are seen in the film.
The storyline is about Lester, a middle-aged man who feels “sedated” in his current lifestyle and routine. He decides to take control of his life once again and begins to go back to his happy teenage days, where he spent summers flipping burgers and smoking pot. This is something his uptight wife disagrees …show more content…

Caroline and Lester are too scared and worried about what might happen or what people might think. They never really consider a divorce, as they both feel its not worth it and they are past the point of caring. They see divorce as a very tricky thing and that it would take a lot of work and effort - both mentally and physically. Divorce rate statistics in New Zealand show that roughly one-third of couples who married in 1970 had divorced by their jade wedding anniversary (35 years). This suggests that two-thirds of marriages end in the death of one partner. This is exactly what happened in the film to Lester. In other places in the world, getting out of a marriage isn’t easy. For example recent statistics for average divorce rates for arranged marriages is 4.2%. This is where couples have no say in who they get to be with. In a country like India, recent statistics show an overall 1.2% divorce rate. It is frowned upon to leave a marriage in Indian society. The freedom and happiness to have a say in who you marry - found in New Zealand - is something that advantages us

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