Through the characters' discoveries, American Beauty by Sam Mendes attempts to change the socially rooted image of beauty. The red rose petal motif is used throughout the film to represent lust, beauty and sexuality. Her seductive power is reinforced in the mirth scene, as Angela creates a vector line towards her crotch with her hands and the zipper of her clothes, while rose petals fly from her chest, portraying her as an object of desire. Angela represents the typical, superficial representation of beauty, "If people I don't even know look at me... it means I really have a chance of becoming a model", and is surrounded by red rose petals in Lester's fantasies - also highlighting highlight his sexuality. During the final sequence, as Lester is led to his imminent death, the roses reappear juxtaposing their previous depiction of beauty and lust. As Lester recalls his fondest memories, each character in the final moments before their death is depicted as being associated with the color red, which represents each of their discoveries about beauty. Ricky Fitts discovers the true meaning of beauty within floating plastic, as he describes it as “the most beautiful thing I've ever filmed.” Both his and Jane's faces are obscured by darkness, until they come to realize true beauty, and the faces of the two characters appear in the light: “Sometimes there is so much beauty in the world. I feel like I can't do it and my heart is about to collapse." Angela, after admitting she is a virgin, discovers that pure beauty isn't just on the surface as Ricky tells her "..you're boring, you're totally ordinary, and you know it." Therefore, when the characters are introduced to the true meaning of beauty, through their discoveries, their previously held beliefs are ultimately challenged and changed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay "American Beauty" by Sam Mendes represents the false nature of the American dream, through the discoveries made by the characters, Lester Burnham and Ricky Fitts. The inculcation of the typical suburban dream that aspires to wealth and status, within American Beauty, is challenged by Lester's realization of his living nightmare of neglected desires. The opening scene's simile, “I feel like I've been in a coma for forty years, and I'm just waking up,” marks the beginning of his discovery, which ultimately turns him into the antithesis of the American dream. When Lester leaves his menial job, the background features geometric patterns and lines, suggesting the order with which Lester no longer fits. The mundanity is further juxtaposed by Brad Dupree's reading of the review of Lester's work "My job basically consists of disguising my contempt for the assholes in charge...", and as the shot changes, the red wall behind Lester contrasts with blue surrounding the rest of the room. Lester's wife, Carolyn, represents the obsessive materialism of the American dream, as depicted in subsequent dialogue after Carolyn and Lester kiss in the living room “This is a $4,000 sofa. It's not just a couch,” “This isn't life, it's just stuff. And it has become more important to you than living." The ideal of maintaining status is accentuated in the King's philosophy of real estate: "To be successful, you must portray an image of success at all times." The American dream traditionally represents a happy life and family, which is further juxtaposed by the characterization of Ricky Fitts..