How does Sam Mendes portray the character Carolyn Burnham in American Beauty?

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How does Sam Mendes portray the character of Carolyn Burnham?

American Beauty is a film that delves into your typical, middle-class suburban home and slowly uncovers all of the abnormalities that lie within. The family is portrayed as normal, but as the films tag line suggests “look closer.” It is possible to fully understand the implications that take place in this seemingly happy home. The film is directed by director Sam Mendes and was released in 1999. Sam Mendes has created a character which I shall base this essay on, whom is played by Annette Bening. Carolyn Burnham is the materialistic, ambitious, insecure, seemingly successful, lonely wife of Lester Burnham. She has very little to do with her husband, Lester, and even less to do with her daughter, Jane. Carolyn is a very insecure character, which is apparent in her behaviour observed in different situations. One of these situations is a scene which she tries to sell a house and becomes more and more desperate.

The Burnham’s seem to have the ‘American Dream’: good jobs, two cars and a nice home in the suburbs and children but if you do as the slogan says and ‘look closer’ you may see that appearances are deceiving and that materialism is all empty promises. Carolyn Burnham is obsessed with materialism and other's opinions of them. She loves her house and possessions and to her these things symbolize success. Mendes shows in the scene in which Lester is trying to kiss her and show Carolyn they can still experience passion. Throughout the film she shows her obsession over her possessions for example when the married couple have passion in their dry relationship she’s more worried about spoiling the couch, also a scene she yells at her sixteen year old daughter, Jane, about not liking her own life – only to refer to her possessions and not other important parts of her life.  Material items are what she views as a means to being happy, and does not understand that her daughter would benefit more from a close relationship with her mother. Carolyn drives the car just as she drives the family, especially, Lester. She has evolved into the decision-maker and leader of the Burnham family. Sitting in the backseat, Lester avoids further conflict with his wife, leading him to become an even unhappier and more desperate person. Carolyn is in denial about life in general. She cannot come to terms with her insincere relationships with daughter and husband, and that she is not being fulfilled by her success in her career or her possessions

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The Burnham’s want to be part of high society but really, they are not. I felt this is brought out in the scene of the family dinner. Carolyn plays Mantovanian music that mocks every mouthful of their dinner; the music is light and reassuring, and the family is angry and silent. Lester and Carolyn may have been in love at one time, but now they've grown distant.

Lester Burnham: [talking to Carolyn about Jane] Oh, what? You're mother of the year? You treat her like an employee.’

‘Lester Burnham: You're one to talk, you bloodless, money-grubbing freak.’

Lester and ...

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