... Look Closer... at the Color Red

The Use of Color Red in American Beauty

Was it a coincidence that color red is present in almost every scene? I do not believe so. Filmmakers, cinematographers, and production designers are the ones that make important decisions in films. The director, Sam Mendes, directed an amazing cast: Kevin Spacey (won an Academy for this film), Annette Bening (nominated for an Academy Award for this film), Thora Birch (Ghost World), Wes Bentley (Interstellar), Mena Suvari (Factory Girl), Peter Gallagher (While You Were Sleeping), Allison Janney (Juno), and Chris Cooper (won an Oscar for the film Adaptation). We all know what a director does. We also know what a cinematographer does. In this case, Conrad L. Hall (won 3 Academy Awards in the films Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, American Beauty, and  Road to Perdition), was in charge of the camera movements, camera shots and lighting. Hall was a true artist indeed. But what about the art director? Many people do not pay attention to this important role in films. Did you know that the production designer is the one that make the aesthetic decisions in films? Naomi Shohan and Conrad L. Hall were the true artist that make American Beauty memorable and dark. And it is all thanks to the color red.

Do you see something that draws your attention immediately? If no, you might be color blind. Sorry, but you need to go the oculist. If yes, you can continue reading this analysis. What was it? Yes! It is the vibrant color red. There are monochromatic tones in the background... Look closer. Even Carolyn (Annette Bening) is wearing dull colors in her outfit... Do you see that there is a contrast in this composition? The grayish background, Carolyn's white apron, and the red roses. It is one of the best compositions that I have ever seen in a film. Even though Carolyn is in the center of the composition, our attention is the red roses. Symbolism alert! The color red means "strength" to Carolyn.

Unlike the other scene with Carolyn, this one is pretty obvious. It is right in our faces. If you have seen the movie, you know that Lester (Kevin Spacey) is going through midlife crisis. It sounds pretty normal, but, in this movie, it is not. Lester is having sexual fantasies with Angela (Mena Suvari), her daughter's best friend. In every scene where he is daydreaming, the red roses are present in abundance... Look closer. In this scene, again, there is a pronounced contrast between the colors white and red. And again, our attention is in the red roses. What does the color red mean in this scene? Ta-dah! It means "lust" to Lester.

Color red has many meaning throughout the film. For Carolyn, it means "strength," and for Lester, it means "lust." But what about the third member of the dysfunctional Burnhams? Believe me, the movie gets darker with Jane (Thora Birch). Jane is, according to Lester, a "pretty typical teenager. Angry, insecure, confused." Yes, we all have been through in our search of individuality... Look closer. What do you see in this composition? Yes, the are a few red items: the candies, the wall, Jane's sweater, and the piece of clothing... Look closer. What else do you see? Yes, the mirror. If color red in Jane represents "individuality," then the mirror adds more meaning to the point that the color red, in Jane's perspective, means individuality. What do we do in front of  a mirror? Yes, we observe ourselves, our flaws, and our attributes. Jane is self-assessing herself, but she is being way too harsh on herself. 

In conclusion, American Beauty is an american gem. It is a must-watch, because it truly depicts the dysfunctional families at their best and worst. But what makes this film so great is the use of the camera and color. Although I focused my analysis in color, you can appreciate the cinematography at its best in every scene. If you are into photography (cinematography), or psychology (characters), art (color red), or anything else, I highly recommend this film. It is a film that will change your perspective. It is a tragic story of a simple man, who is just trying to be happy... Look closer. Do you see the red door? I am sensing a symbolism of the "American Dream"!