In American movies there are often underlying plots, hidden themes and subliminal messages. Many times the producer is trying to make a point that is not blatantly obvious to the audience. American Beauty is one such movie with an intangible agenda. There are many characters interacting with each other in obvious ways on the surface, such as leading normal lives in a normal neighborhood, but ultimately they effect the outcome of the movie because of less obvious character flaws and the way they conflict living with each other. The movie contains homoerotic behavior in a pair of homosexual neighbors, a homophobic father, and a questionable relationship between an average man and his teen neighbor. The homoerotic behavior displayed by the characters in American Beauty influences the development and eventual outcome of the movie by interactions and subliminal implications of characters and actions with such homoerotic behaviors.
American Beauty centers on the last year of Lester Burnham's life. Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is married to Carolyn Burnham (Annette Betting), and their marriage is picture perfect on the exterior, but the perfection only runs superficially. Their marriage is based on the idea of "projecting an image of success at all times," (American Beauty). The two have a teenage daughter named Janey played by Thora Birtch. "Janey is a pretty typical teenager; angry, insecure... confused," (Lester, American Beauty). Conflicts start when Lester realizes he can take back control of his life and live life as a carefree teen once again. At the same time, new neighbors arrive, thickening the plot with a hatred for gays. The ex-marine corps father, "Colonel Frank Fitch", brings a hatred for the homosexual couple that lives in the neighborhood. Ricky (Scott Bakula), his son, brings to the movie a romantic interest for Lester's daughter, Janey.
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