Chracter Reprsentations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie4kvVgdhWQ

The character of Carolyn is represented at the beginning of American beauty as a strong successful business woman dominating and contrasting with her husband Lester. Her career appears to be the only thing that’s important to her and throughout we're made aware that she’s determined to appear happier and more confident than she really is, this follows the theme of appearance Vs reality which is a key theme in the film not only concerning Carolyn but other characters such as angela,colonel Fitz and Ricky. The quote: 'I will sell this house today' shows her determination and desire to self motivate and become independent in order to be successful. it also sounds almost robotic as if she’s working like a robot so that Carolyn achieves everything perfectly in the right way. The mise en scene of the scene is a dark and dull room, made darker when Carolyn closes the blinds; the closing of the blinds could symbolise her locking herself up away from the real world so she may be able to express her feelings in a private prison, the blinds could also represent the prison bars and that Carolyn is trapped in her own emotions.carolyn is wearing colourless clothes in the scene to show her lack of confidence and to blend in with the dull and colourless surroundings. The mid shot camera angle that focuses on Carolyn’s face when she has a sudden burst of emotion forces the audience to watch because there’s nothing else to look at, making us feel uncomfortable as a supposedly strong character looses our respect but we also grow sympathy for her which we didn’t have previously because she appeared cruel and confident and career obsessed.
The music used in the scene begins with a slow piano that is often played in parts of the film. At the climax of her emotions jazz blues music is played, possibly to signify the end of her outburst and the regaining of her composure. The director wants to shock the audience and make us feel uncomfortable as we’re faced with the reality of the characters true emotions and personalities.
At the beginning of the film we dislike Carolyn because she is represented as a materialistic, neurotic and obsessive and unloving person, although early on our mind are quickly changed when she displays a burst of emotion. We can connate from the scene that Carolyn’s inability to communicate her emotions may be one reason that her marriage is a unhappy one.