Lic. Patricia García Ces & Lic.

Carla Montoya

Analyzing a film scene/segment from a cinematic perspective.

Sam Mendes’ American Beauty (1999 ): “Family dinner scene”. Most relevant/significant
cinematic elements.

Link to segment:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FHk1O9y4gdHMtXwObKl1Q1rjHXfpYZhc/view?usp=sharing

An example of the type of analysis you will be able to do by the end of the term.

Notes one might take down while watching the clip:

 Composition (arrangement of people and objects; lighting; irony of setting;

roses motif?, thematic relevancy?; characterization)
 Point of view (mostly objective; close-ups)
 Framing (long shot; fixed-frame camera; symmety; vertical lines)
 Color (palette; red: symbolism)
 Music (characterization, irony of tone)

Close-ups of family photos (especially of the daughter) suggest a loving, happy home. The
sober decoration of the dining room, low-key lighting, the elegant setting of the table, and
the soft, soothing music, convey refinement and a relaxed atmosphere.
The objective point of view of the long shot places us as somewhat distant observers at first,
but fixed-frame camera movement slowly draws us closer, more involved in the action, only
to learn that this elegant, seeminly homey setting and the tone suggested by the music are
ironic. This not actually a cozzy home and a loving, happy family. The daughter does not have
the central role suggested by the foreground framing she is given, between candles and a
vase of perfect red roses –already seen in the picture frames shot, which might suggest a
motif, since they are given prominence twice in a single, short segment, and are also related
to the film title.
We can see all the attention to detail (including the “elevator” music), and the symmetrical
composition of the table are characterization elements of the mother, portraying her as
domineering, probably obsessed with control and the appearance of perfection/beauty –
which may be a central theme of the film, whose thematic focus seems to be ideas.
The color palette (mostly shades of pastel colors) underscores the red of the flowers, as well
as of the mother’s clothes in the family portrait, where she sits in the foreground as the
central figure. However, red can hardly be seen as a symbol of passion/vitality here, but
probably as some sort of symbolic substitute for it –much like the happy, loving family
portraits seem to be just empty icons without and actual connection to reality. (284 words)

NOTE: If we watch the whole movie, we would probably relate it to the Orpheus plot type,
since the main character himself says, at the beginning of the film (through voice-over
narration) that he has lost something in his life, and we soon learn that the plot of the story
is mostly driven by his trying to regain or, somehow, make up for that which he has lost.
 Lic. Patricia García Ces & Lic. Carla Montoya

You can watch the whole film on Netflix, or for free, at:
https://tinyzonetv.to/watch-movie/watch-american-beauty-1999-free-19342.2618638
or
https://yesmovies.ag/movie/american-beauty-5109/1-1/watching.html