To round this out, I am glad that the initial script went through a revision. The first draft that I read played more like a murder mystery, beginning with a drawn out court sequence over who killed Lester. I thought that these particular scenes took away from the gist of the movie, and served only to bring the conclusion of the script to an anti-climactic halt. As it stands, the films arc is crystal clear, steadily gaining momentum as the viewer anticipates the fate of the doomed Lester. In the end, the message behind 'American Beauty' is simple.
Life is too short.
Bj rn Erik Hundland . All rights reserved. Hosted by Digiweb .