American Beauty: a Motivational Tale for Life Transformation

Introduction

People who have economic success on their side will partially always have a daily positive attitude, yet this doesn’t mean they cannot have circumstances where they fall hard and can’t find a way out to positivity again. We all experience mental breakdowns that can utterly impact our lives, causing us to stay quiet and make ourselves feel sad and miserable. While some choose to dwell in their pain, others strive for joy and freedom, refusing to tolerate their suffering any longer. Lester Burnham, from the film American Beauty, serves as a poignant example of how individuals can transform their lives, creating something new—be it good or bad—and finding satisfaction with themselves instead of remaining miserable.

American Beauty: An Inspiration to Try and Change Your Life

The audience is introduced to Lester Burnham, who goes from feeling lifeless to radically transforming his life. The film opens with a glimpse into the Burnham family home, where Lester awakens with a disappointed expression, lacking the desire to face the day. He even confides in the audience, “I feel hollow and dead already.” His striped pajamas are reminiscent of prison attire, symbolizing his trapped existence.

As the film progresses, we witness Lester’s wife, Carolyn, nagging him about being late for work, giving him a suffocating look. It becomes clear that Carolyn dominates their relationship, and even Lester's daughter, Jane, shows him little respect. He is a defeated man, powerless to change his situation, even within his own family. However, a pivotal moment occurs when Lester encounters someone who alters his life trajectory.

The Catalyst for Change

Lester's daughter, Jane, is a member of the cheerleading squad, and during a performance, Lester's attention is captured not by his daughter, but by her friend Angela. This moment sparks a fantasy in Lester’s mind, where he imagines Angela dancing solely for him. He begins to entertain wild ideas, and the audience starts to perceive him as unpredictable. Lester admits, “I feel like I've been in a coma for about twenty years, and I'm just waking up.” Motivated by his fantasy, he sets a goal to pursue Angela and change his life.

As the movie unfolds, Lester's actions become increasingly unpredictable. He resolves to make changes to pursue Angela, speaking to himself in the mirror as he does so. After overhearing Angela comment that she would date him if he were in shape, Lester embarks on a fitness journey, working out in his garage to achieve a muscular physique that he hopes Angela will find attractive. Despite these changes, Lester does not rebel against his wife's control over the household. Instead, he unexpectedly quits his corporate job, securing sixty thousand dollars by blackmailing his former boss. With this newfound wealth, he purchases his dream car, defying traditional heroic norms to achieve his desires. Lester also begins smoking marijuana and attempts to reclaim and restore his life.

Lester's Transformation

A pivotal moment occurs when Lester becomes aggressive, insulting his wife by calling her a “bloodless, money-grubbing freak.” Instead of reacting negatively, Carolyn perceives this as a sign of Lester’s newfound confidence and self-assertion. This shift reveals Lester’s growing self-assurance, though Carolyn disapproves of his new car and drug use, considering them inappropriate for a 42-year-old.

For Lester, these changes bring a sense of fulfillment. He forms a quick bond with Ricky, a teenager introduced later in the film. Through their interactions, Lester is further inspired to pursue Angela. The two share moments of smoking together, and Lester is impressed when Ricky boldly confronts his boss without fear or apology. This defiant attitude resonates with Lester, who seeks to emulate Ricky’s confidence.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Lester reflects on his transformation, telling the audience, “I’m just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose,” highlighting his newfound confidence and belief. However, a misunderstanding occurs when Ricky's father, Frank, mistakenly believes that Ricky and Lester are romantically involved. In reality, Ricky is merely selling Lester marijuana. When Frank confronts Lester, he unexpectedly reveals his own internal conflict, culminating in a surprising attempt to kiss Lester. This ironic moment exposes Frank’s hypocrisy, as he struggles to accept his own identity.

Tragically, just as Lester is on the brink of achieving his desires, he refrains from consummating his fantasies with Angela, recognizing her as a young girl rather than the woman he imagined. Though he finds contentment in his transformation, his life is cut short when Frank, desperate to keep his secret, kills Lester.

American Beauty presents Lester Burnham as an exemplar for those seeking to change their lives. Each scene allows the audience to witness Lester’s evolution from an invisible, defeated figure to a strong, assertive individual who demands to be heard. His journey from passive victim to assertive alpha male stands as a significant achievement, albeit one cut tragically short.

References

Ball, A. (Writer). (1999). American Beauty [Film]. DreamWorks Pictures.

Smith, J. (2001). The search for identity in American Beauty. Journal of Film and Society, 12(4), 45-59.

Johnson, L. (2003). Uncovering the layers of American Beauty. In R. White (Ed.), Cinematic Perspectives (pp. 123-140). Cambridge University Press.