Mise-en-scene is a French term that refers to the arrangement of elements within a film's frame, including the setting, props, actors, and lighting. In the film "American Beauty," director Sam Mendes uses mise-en-scene to effectively convey the themes of the film and the inner turmoil of its characters.
One of the most prominent elements of mise-en-scene in "American Beauty" is the setting. The film takes place in a typical suburban neighborhood, and the houses and streets are depicted as clean and orderly. However, the characters within these houses are anything but orderly. The main character, Lester Burnham, is trapped in a loveless marriage and a soul-crushing job, and his teenage daughter, Jane, is struggling with her own identity and feelings of inadequacy. The contrast between the seemingly perfect exterior of the neighborhood and the chaos within the characters' lives is a key aspect of the film's mise-en-scene.
Props also play a significant role in the film's mise-en-scene. The Burnhams' house is filled with generic and impersonal objects, such as decorative pillows and knick-knacks, that serve as a reflection of their lack of connection to each other. In contrast, the house of their next-door neighbor, Angela, is filled with lush and colorful plants, indicating her more carefree and sensual nature. The props in the film serve to further illustrate the differences between the characters and their states of mind.
The use of lighting in "American Beauty" is also noteworthy. Throughout the film, there is a contrast between the warm and natural lighting used in outdoor scenes and the harsh and artificial lighting used in indoor scenes. This serves to highlight the characters' feelings of confinement and isolation within their own homes and the freedom and possibility that exists outside of them.
In conclusion, the mise-en-scene in "American Beauty" is an integral part of the film's themes and character development. The setting, props, and lighting all serve to convey the inner turmoil of the characters and the contrast between the perfection of their exterior lives and the chaos within.