Why I think 'American Beauty' is problematic

American Beauty-

One of the first films suggested by a professor for me to watch. First-year in my film writing major and I was curious about getting a chance to finally watch this movie. (I know, it's probably silly it took me this long to watch the movie, but in my defense, I'm a sucker for rewatching films until I'm red in the face. Since picking this major, my filmography has thus expanded) With all the rave reviews I was getting from peers about this film, I truly wanted to watch it UNTIL I saw the poster.

A blonde hair, blue-eyed teen staring back at me with nothing but roses covering her. And the second isn't any better as it features nothing more than a singular rose held tight near a woman's bare stomach.

They're both eye-catching in the most disturbing of ways. Nevermind the fact, that the idea of American Beauty is CLEARLY hinted at women who fit under the criteria of blonde hair/blue eyes, we're also speaking on the exploitation of women in general.

The plot of the movie is pretty standard for a character-driven movie. We're met with a weak man who has no back-bone and is forced to encounter people who take advantage of this fact whenever possible from his wife, boss, co-workers, etc.

He's an average man who essentially uses his crush (more on that later) as a crutch to escape the unfairness of his life. Slowing morphing from a docile creature to an impulsive one who is willing to spend or act however he pleases to fit his present pleasures.

Not to water down the movie in any means for its wonderful use of merging and setting up characters, but the main plot really sickens me.

The idea that a grown man can spend 90% of this movie pining over a minor and then is somehow considered a "good man" by (most of) my professors for his character arc for choosing not to sleep with said minor baffles me.

His crush, who is the same age as his daughter, is depicted as nothing more than a shallow cheerleader who's only redeeming quality lies in the fact that she was able to get Lester to fall for her.

Now, I'm very aware some may argue that Angela (the character's name) is more symbolic than fictional for her ability to completely alter Lester's mindset after one encounter but the depiction is still disturbing.

We're talking about a movie that won three Golden Globe Awards and was nominated for eight Academy Awards. not a single person watching this movie in the Awards committee saw a problem with the way this underage woman is betrayed in the film or how her presence is only necessary whenever Lester deems her to be.

Unfortunately for my case, that was the majority of the film. The message that I received after first watching the film was distrust. Distrust in my professor's taste of films, distrust in what award shows considered to be explementory work, etc.

As a woman of color, it's hard to see words as explicitly jarring as 'American Beauty' and not in some ways notice how there's only one particular look the screenwrtiers, casting directors and director felt could accomplish such a "worthy" title.

For the girls born of darker pigmentation, wht do you think their intial reaction was to see a title like this and a face like that lying in the color of desire? Not positive, in fact, it must make every woman who doesn't line up close to such an ideal standard as subpar when it comes to beauty.

But then there's the other end of the spectrum. Where women who do line up in this category of American beauty are objectified beyond belief that no one can see them pass their looks. there's a standard of attitude that Angela adopted for the 'American Beauty' which was air-headed, insecure, and compliant.

It's how women who match that descriptor of blue eyes/ blond hair is regarded as. A woman who is only good enough for the eyes that's forcing themselves upon her. A woman that is left being thankful or grateful that a man is willing to notice them and is therefore forced to show gratitude for their aggressive and impulsive desires.

Cinema, no matter what some may believe, is an extremely convincing version of the truth that people digest with ease. Were more prone to believing the facts pointed either consciously or subconsciously in a film than we are to believe the news.

When we broadcast images and storylines like this and then reward people for such writing and portrayals, there's no wonder why Hollywood stays front and center of controversy. yes, I'm aware this movie came out in 1999, but the treatment of women in films hasn't changed.

The idea of beauty hasn't changed much either, with directors who do happen to choose minority women for roles, always choose the lightest of the bunch to not disrupt that 'standard' set before by their predecessors in film. a 1999 film with its share of controversy and drama is STILL regarded as a masterpiece by my professors and it makes me wonder, what is it that they see in this film that I'm missing?