What is Beauty?

Rating: Null/10 (11 May 2004)

What is beauty? American Beauty (1999) challenges the traditional notion that beauty is an aesthetic quality. Angela represents the typical American beauty. She is observed and fantasized about by Lester. Suvari's character is constantly aware that she is surveyed and plays into her image. She is, however, ultimately unhappy about herself and constantly tries to boost her image. Jane, an atypical beauty, does not believe she is beautiful. However, Ricky, the all-seeing judge of inner beauty, finds her beautiful. Their relationship based on more than aesthetic attraction is more real than Angela's admirers. Carolyn depicts the surveyor or herself. She pressures herself to be the ideal beautiful woman. Her career, garden, family, and appearance are all aspects that she tries to control. Through this control she hopes to become what she appears to be; perfect. Certain stereotypes are broken down. Beauty does not necessarily bring happiness, according to his film. Both Angela and Carolyn are testimony to this. However, finding beauty in what you are does lead to happiness for Lester and Jane. It also challenges the stereotype that motherhood is inherent is all women. Carolyn, in her attempt to succeed at everything, ultimately fails at everything especially motherhood. The film also blows away the happy suburban life. Other stereotypes are built in the film. The gay couple is always shown as happy, suggesting that gay couples do not have the same problems as straight ones. Fitts is a military man shown to run a militant household, another stereotype that is not necessarily true. The lack of races other than Caucasian suggests that Middle America is white, which is also a stereotype. The ignoring of other races limits the film's ability to examine the formation of identity. This is not to say that other races are not important, but to take a closer look at how sexuality, gender, and our notion of beauty affect a certain race and class. None of these aspects of identity are deemed to be good or bad. Happiness depends on how each character deals with their sexuality, gender or notion of beauty.