I think Angela isn't supposed to be the main focus like the main 5. She's more a foil to create tension and growth with the rest. She is an object for their own stories (which is also kinda interesting when it comes to her own self image)
Whoa! I'm not a huge movie buff but I like the way you delve into the story line. You have found a new fan and rekindled my desire to watch movies I've already seen ... but in a whole new light! Awesome work!
I love your videos, you have a soothing voice, your editing is perfect, and you always have a lot of interesting intelligent things to say about the movie/script you're examining. I hope you keep making videos, I've watched all of the ones you have on your channel, and I'm craving more. :)
I completely agree! I cannot wait for more videos. Micheal does an incredible job! I think there is a serious vacuum of this type of hyper-analyzation available to the general public. This knowledge may breed talented screenwriters.
fucking love all these channels celebrating movies and movie-making recently, instead of just taking a shit all over them like cinemasins and HISHE. keep it up!
Thanks Sodacake! I have to admit I do like CinemaSins - once you get past the fact that they're being extremely nitpicky, there are some productive insights to be gleaned. But I agree, positivity is always refreshing :)
You are such a talented creator and I hope you continue making amazing videos about screenwriting thank you very much for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Hitchcock said making a film happens in the edit. The film edit exposes the act of seeing to tell the story. Maybe another way to say it even the worst film can be saved by someone who understands how to edit. American Beauty is a great film, transformed in the edit. I always found a bit of myself in Ricky, maybe because of his love of mucking around with video cameras and seeing the real beauty of life through them. The Nurd with the video camera and lots of recorded tapes.
"This isn't life, this is just stuff." I'd believe the sincerity of that line more, if it came from a guy who didn't just splurge on an expensive car. That scene would have been better if Caroline had taken a jackhammer to the new car and taken out the front hood and windshield, and then said with a smile: "This isn't life, this is just stuff."
Well, at least Lester can give up his car anytime , if the circumstance neccesitates him. Carolyn on the other hand, worships material things, possessions as symbols to her own definition of success. Lester buying that car has nothing to do with his desires for money or possessions. For him, to buy that car is a symbol of his liberation, from his mundane, routinary, oppressed life.
This is one of my ALL time favorites. I watched this the first night I ran away as an abused kid. Watched it on the sofa of a friends house. It captivated me
One of my favourite films. I didn't realise how well formed these characters are and how they all make up different pieces of the theme in a subtle way. Also, I love your addition of animation to explain things in a clear and engaging way. Great work once again.
You're probably not gonna read this but I loooved the video. American Beauty is one of my favourite movies ever (since I was 14) and this analysis of even a little part of the script was amazing. As a writer it was really interesting and inspiring to write better! Thank you, keep it up
would you consider doing an analysis for the film "Girl, Interrupted"? I think it's one of the best films.The topic of mental illness, the unique characters and even small characters who each have one scene that's memorable, the screenplay/script and ending were amazing.
For those who don't know, the American Beauty Screenplay by Alan Ball won an Oscar in 1999(I've read it like 5 times and I love it). Along with the film winning Best Picture.
I love the bad script and good script comparison. Amazing work on this video. I'd say this movie and Mulholland Drive are probably my favorite films of all time.
American Beauty is a great film but I actually watched this with Six Feet Under in mind. I just watched SFU for the first time recently and was incredibly moved. Alan Ball is a master of subtext.
This channel is literally my favorite channel in all of TH-cam. If the video is about a movie you haven't seen it doesn't even matter, you don't need to watch the movie and if you do watch it after watching the video, it makes the movie even better to watch and think of what you remember all yourself. But if it's a video to a movie you've already seen, it makes the movie seem even more amazing as its being broken down in a way you didn't think of when you first watched it. It's honestly a cycle of great video to great film to even better video to even better film, I love it so much I'm not even sure if I'm coherent in my explanation of why.
And 4.) It also lets us know that Jane is sarcastic, revealing part of her personality, which is important for good dialogue as you mentioned moments prior. GREAT VIDEO by the way!!! You know your stuff.
Do you think you could do a character dissection of the few main Freaks And Geeks characters? It'd be interesting to see your view on how their personality shapes the story.
and also these amazing films: The Godfather 1 & 2 Apocalypse Now The Empire Strikes Back Chinatown The Usual Suspects Network Birdman Adapation (like an actual analysis even though I loved the short film) Schindler's List Citizen Kane To Kill A Mockingbird Goodfellas Pulp Fiction Her Django Unchained Taxi Driver Blue Velvet Forrest Gump Knives Out Back To The Future Marriage Story One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Raging Bull Fight Club American Psycho
Wow, you are one committed, talented, yet humble, content creator. The way you reply to all comments is just so nice to see :) Thank you for what you do, can't wait for part two !
I fell in love with the channel Every Frame a Painting and spent months looking for anyone else capable of doing such quality analysis work. When your first video hit I was ready to sit and binge watch everything you had ever made only to find out it was your first video. I jump up and down with glee every time I see new Every Frame a Paining and Lessons From the Screenplay productions. Both of you are on a level above anyone else I've seen. I would love to see a collaboration between the two of you (where you both analyze the same movie or film maker but not necessarily do videos together). I really do see your channel having enormous power in the future to influence film as an art form for the better. Thank you for the incredible work.
That is very flattering, Brett, thank you. And thank you for considering me in such good company - I also love Every Frame a painting and would love to do some kind of collaboration with Tony at some point. I appreciate you taking the time to comment, it inspires me to keep going! :)
Superb essay. Alan Ball is a writer who is great at examining the human condition and all his characters have a uniquely humane and realistic quality which makes them so real. Six Feet Under is where, I think he truly explored this, after having built on it with American Beauty.
I haven't seen Six Feet Under, and didn't know until recently that it was Alan Ball who created it. Now I can't wait to see it, I've only heard fantastic things.
I love this. I recently watched another youtubers analysis of this movie and it was so cold and judgemental. American Beauty is my favorite movie. It makes me cry, but it makes me feel like maybe I can continue (living) because something finally makes sense and for once its not being covered up.
*At every end of one of your episode I say to myself : "This is already the end". It is just 8 min long but i am so into it that i feel like i am watching a movie. You do great job and help me a lot to become a better storyteller. Thank you so much !*
You're awesome man, i love these kinds of videos. They really help me understand the true nature of films and give me a better perspective and glimpse into screenwriting. I would really love to pursue film as a career, i'd love to create stories like this that are more in depth than what people usually see at face value.
Exactly. Even films with seemingly basic story-lines can be incredibly complex. But i agree with you, this is a classic. I love it because of Spacey's incredible performance. This, Se7en, and House of Cards are some of his best works in my opinion.
Thank you sir. I had been going through a spell of writers block, but then I found your videos and am chock-full of ideas. Thank you for putting such thought and effort into your work. You can consider me your next binge watcher.
Thank you so much for this! American Beauty is such a phenomenal, life-altering movie. It has so much layer to it that you can analyze it from many perspectives.
I love this movie so much! I'm a huge fan of Alan Ball, he can write the realism and the sensibility of humans like no one. For me, this movie is like a preparation of Six Feet Under. It could almost be an episode of the show. And common, Jane is the perfect hybrid of Clair and Brenda
Great job! This was one of my favorite movies. The art of subtext is sometimes hard to convey in movies but American Beauty did it so well. I'm sure you'll discuss the very end with Wes Bentley looking over Kevin Spacey and what it really means.
Thanks! And thanks for supporting the channel on Patreon ;) I'm trying to stay focused on actual lessons and not do too much interpretation of themes and meanings, but on reddit someone just pointed out another video essay about American Beauty that does delve into that more: th-cam.com/video/K4Ghg7Dfs7A/w-d-xo.html
Shame you didn't cover the character of Angela. She's also a great example of someone trying to be someone who she really isn't, then at the end stops pretending. And like the other characters, as soon as she stops pretending, she becomes quite likable.
These videos are so interesting! Their structure represents a mastery of simplicity but style, as well as an efficient ability to inform. Make these all the time! They're awesome!
You make the best video essays i have ever seen in my life, I have been greatly inspired by your work and I am working on my first video essay on Whiplash movie which will be published in Arabic, I will add English subtitles only to know your opinion about the video Greetings from Egypt
Wonderful video. You've been killing it with these videos! I love American Beauty, so it was great to see you walk us through it. And that's the thing: you walk through it in a wonderful way. The way you show how it could've been written and how it WAS written. You also presented some ideas that I hadn't considered before. I can't wait for the future videos on this channel.
Hey Michael, Love your analysis. Great vid. Its nice to find someone else with a deep interest in story + structure! This is one of my all time favourites too. I have a couple of added thoughts from my own breakdown.. which I spent a long time unlocking... hope you + others get something from it. Im an Australian, but I use the word "we" here to make it an easier read. ---- *Gratitude * leads to * Prosperity* (aka Happiness) - we have forgotten to be grateful for everything we have... this is why we are unhappy / depressed / unfulfilled. Americans have lost their way in pursuit of the American Dream. The pursuit of happiness. We either have too little gratitude.. which leads to *Envy* or we have too much.. which leads to *Fakeness / Flattery / Living in Denial* For this movie in particular, Gratitude is defined as the willingness to.. *"See the beauty in every moment of your mundane life."* - this is what is missing. what we have forgotten to do. what we don't allow ourselves to do. to be grateful. This is a story about the systemic dysfunction that exists in white / middle class suburbia (and in the nation as a whole). Its' about the inherent problems that our *"Morbid Obsession with possessing beautiful things"* is doing to the younger generations and the baby boomers. The context is the battle for possession over Suburbia. In the worldview of this story, suburbia has stopped being "a safe place to raise a family"... it has become the opposite... because their beautiful children are under threat of "deviants" / "sexual deviants" / "strangers". This is the white conservative prejudice (represented by Colonel Frank Fitts - who wants to make people "Fitt" into his traditional masculine/feminine mould) The story is a comment on the old system of "Neighbourhood Watch". or keeping watch over your neighbour which was originally designed to provide safety for families in the neighbourhood.. A healthy level of "watching" is important for a safe neighbourhood. An excess of this and you end up with perverts. A lack of this and you end up with isolation and abuse (substance etc) /domestic violence and sexually unhealthy behaviour - while noone sees or holds anyone else accountable. -- Lester is forced to learn the lesson that we all need to learn, and it takes for him to be "laid off" - laid off in a sense of losing your job.. and "laid off" in a sense of not getting laid" for him to finally deal with this (which he fails to btw - which is why its a tragedy) Theres a life lesson that has to be learnt by every character in this story and in middle class american dreamers lives... and that is to.. *Pay closer attention to the rising vibrations under the hood* what does that mean? American Beauty is a reflection of the fallout of sixties "good vibrations" hippy culture on the baby boomer generation...and the negative affects of this on the new generations goth obsession and reaction against the "beauty obsession" + materialism of their parents generation. *rising vibrations* is a reference to Mindfulness Meditation which comes from eastern spirituality that entered mainstream cultural awareness around the sixties. There are common symbols used in the story from this era. type in "how to raise your vibrations" in google and you will see all the scenes from the film. - eating raw food - taking a spa bath - pay close attention etc. etc. "rising vibrations" is also a reference to teenage erections /maturbation. It also refers to a "racing heart" aka anxiety. (this is why Lester stopped in the process of having sex with his daughters beautiful friend. He noticed the "rising vibrations under her hood" / "chest area". Happened right after she made herself vulnerable - opening her blouse. *under the hood* has multiple meanings in that it means "what is going in the personal lives of their neighbours"...the neighbour "hood". What is happening behind closed doors. also the word "hood" is a euphemism for the tip of a mans genitalia (which is why theres so much reference to masturbation etc) also Alan Ball (writer) is known to be homosexual. He has made two gay characters next door an example of gay men who have learnt the stories life lesson to.."Pay closer attention to the rising vibrations under the hood" - they dont just see eachother as sex objects, but as a family (incl. their neighbourhood 'watch dog') + they take enough interest to look out for the well-being of their neighbours without becoming perverts/intrusive. the moral to the story is.. Everyone needs to learn to "Pay closer attention to the rising vibrations under the hood" 1. Within themselves (their internal feelings thoughts / spirit /anxieties ) 2. In their intimate relationships (family / partners / loved ones) 3. In their neighbourhood (next door / whole suburb) we can do this by relaxing.. and allowing ourselves to .. *See the beauty in every moment of their mundane life.* and from that place of gratitude.. they will not want to take advantage of themselves (masturbation), others (beautiful neighbours / partners) ..but will desire to take care of them. protect them from harm/ drugs etc....become a caretaker of self + others. "Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life." - Lester Burnheim
Another great video, Michael! Seriously, I see this channel blowing up moreso than Every Frame a Painting and Now You See It (and I love them as well). Can't wait for the second video!
Dude you're channel could not have appeared during a more important time for me. Working on a project developing story and character scripts right now, and for an amateur like myself this insight is gold. Please keep up the awesome work and can't wait till next week :)
Thank you soooooo much for this video Michael! It gives great direction in how to create all the characters in the world of the film! Right now its at nearly 827,000 views. This video should get double, triple the views for its value!
Forrest Robinson Guilhem Kuczynski A friend of mine has a few, including the script for 301. I forget which episode that is, but probably more interesting than the pilot.
+Lessons from the Screenplay picked up a book by Jeffery Scott on writing animation, been watching/ reading The Last Airbender and Kung Fu Panda whilst doing my own stuff.
+Lessons from the Screenplay yeah it's abit out dated but still relevant, he talks about the industry a lot and what they expect. The most notable difference from live action I've found is description on the screenplay, he uses a neat example of a TMNT cartoon he wrote. Worth a read :)
i had to stop the video just to write how much that stuff is well-tought i've never found an amazing cinema essay channel as every frame a painting until now, the moment i've stopped the video also thanks for the subtitles, english isn't my first language(italian) So just keep growing as channel man, that's gold stuff.
I *love* American Beauty. I'll never forget how it touched me the first time I watched it.
Show us on the doll where it touched you. In all seriousness - outstanding movie indeed.
Mee too man ... I didn't expect the movie to be the best movie ever ... I was shocked after finishing the movie
Touched you were
As a cinephile, it is one of the great movie going experiences I've ever had. It is a perfect movie, in my opinion.
@Neil Brown What a shallow and unintelligent comment to make. Tells a lot about your intellect and upbringing. Also don't even bother to reply. Ok bye
You forgot Angela.
She represents superficial beauty.
She's focused on appearing beautiful, as to not appear as ordinary.
I think Angela isn't supposed to be the main focus like the main 5. She's more a foil to create tension and growth with the rest. She is an object for their own stories (which is also kinda interesting when it comes to her own self image)
And she thinks she found her true self, but has not.
@@TheBabblingBabsno, you could say the same about ricky then. he's the center focus in my opinion.
Our teacher showed us some of your videos for our storyboarding classes. I love your work, I feel smarter and more aware with every watch.
So you're basically Tony Zhou but for screenwriting. I dig it.
Sweet.
I dig it too! I love screenwritting and that was missing from Every Frame a Painting. Two awesome channels!
tony zhou was Iroh in The Last Airbender
I mean, we do have Now You See It but it doesn't have the same ... kick as Every Frame.
Whoa! I'm not a huge movie buff but I like the way you delve into the story line.
You have found a new fan and rekindled my desire to watch movies I've already seen ... but in a whole new light!
Awesome work!
Michael Leers Now you shall become a movie buff!
I love your videos, you have a soothing voice, your editing is perfect, and you always have a lot of interesting intelligent things to say about the movie/script you're examining. I hope you keep making videos, I've watched all of the ones you have on your channel, and I'm craving more. :)
Thank you, that's very kind of you! More are on the way :)
I completely agree! I cannot wait for more videos. Micheal does an incredible job!
I think there is a serious vacuum of this type of hyper-analyzation available to the general public. This knowledge may breed talented screenwriters.
American Beauty makes me break down, every, single, time. Absolute masterpiece.
0:34 "let's look closer..." and the sticker in the back. Loved that detail
I really love these type of videos that analyze movies whether it is cinematography or screenplays.
me too! :P
Wow, you make me see things in a totally different light. Thanks this is really helping me grow.
What an awesome compliment!
Just stating the facts :)
fucking love all these channels celebrating movies and movie-making recently, instead of just taking a shit all over them like cinemasins and HISHE. keep it up!
Thanks Sodacake! I have to admit I do like CinemaSins - once you get past the fact that they're being extremely nitpicky, there are some productive insights to be gleaned. But I agree, positivity is always refreshing :)
Just wanna say I appreciate how much effort you put into your videos. Not only from the script to VO, but the editing is superb as well. Keep it up!
Awesome, thank you! It's always really nice to hear comments like this, to know that people appreciate it :)
You are such a talented creator and I hope
you continue making amazing videos about screenwriting thank you very much for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
My pleasure, thank you for watching!
Never ever stop doing these!
I will do my best! :P
He stopped 😭😭
@@saumya7922 He has a great podcast now though, Beyond The Screenplay
PLEASE DO AMERICAN PSYCHO
Chloe Phoenix PLEASE.
dduem13 THANK YOU FOR AGREEING WITH ME AND USING ALL CAPS!
Hitchcock said making a film happens in the edit. The film edit exposes the act of seeing to tell the story. Maybe another way to say it even the worst film can be saved by someone who understands how to edit. American Beauty is a great film, transformed in the edit. I always found a bit of myself in Ricky, maybe because of his love of mucking around with video cameras and seeing the real beauty of life through them. The Nurd with the video camera and lots of recorded tapes.
"This isn't life, this is just stuff." I'd believe the sincerity of that line more, if it came from a guy who didn't just splurge on an expensive car. That scene would have been better if Caroline had taken a jackhammer to the new car and taken out the front hood and windshield, and then said with a smile: "This isn't life, this is just stuff."
Well, at least Lester can give up his car anytime , if the circumstance neccesitates him. Carolyn on the other hand, worships material things, possessions as symbols to her own definition of success. Lester buying that car has nothing to do with his desires for money or possessions. For him, to buy that car is a symbol of his liberation, from his mundane, routinary, oppressed life.
He dosen't car about that, he just want to feel something like "finally i bought this one" , after that, he dosen't care again about the car itself.
Having material goods doesn't mean you worship them. Nothing wrong with a man buying a car he's always wanted.
He’s doesn’t care about the car, he just wanted to get attention from his wife
Being contradictory is part of human nature and this is also portrait in the movie
god! your analysis is amazing! better than nerdwriter and wisecrack. i subbed. oh! and your voice is so soothing
I could't have said it any better!
This is one of my ALL time favorites. I watched this the first night I ran away as an abused kid.
Watched it on the sofa of a friends house. It captivated me
This has become one of my most favorite channels! Keep up the good work.
Awesome! Will do!
You're doing an amazing job!
Thanks Charlie!
One of my favourite films. I didn't realise how well formed these characters are and how they all make up different pieces of the theme in a subtle way. Also, I love your addition of animation to explain things in a clear and engaging way. Great work once again.
Thank you! Glad you appreciate the animations cause it takes a long time! :P
Well, that was just spec-tac-ular. Subbed!
;) thanks!
Glad you like American Beauty, it's my all time favorite film
You get a sub for that Tommy Wiseau roast
Damn Skippy
Benish Ben thAT TOOK ME A SECOND BUT DAMN THAT WAS GOOD
You're probably not gonna read this but I loooved the video. American Beauty is one of my favourite movies ever (since I was 14) and this analysis of even a little part of the script was amazing. As a writer it was really interesting and inspiring to write better! Thank you, keep it up
Amazing. Helpful and inspiring. You have a knack. Keep at it. You're urging me and others on, I know that much. I will pass this along. good luck.
That's awesome, exactly what I hope for!
would you consider doing an analysis for the film "Girl, Interrupted"? I think it's one of the best films.The topic of mental illness, the unique characters and even small characters who each have one scene that's memorable, the screenplay/script and ending were amazing.
For those who don't know, the American Beauty Screenplay by Alan Ball won an Oscar in 1999(I've read it like 5 times and I love it). Along with the film winning Best Picture.
Thank you for this well crafted analysis of my favorite movie. Love it even more now and you make me rewatch it over and over
yes, one of my favourite movies. very well done
Mine too! Thanks!
you are better than the teachers i had. Your work is a fine analitic piece
These videos are examples of the best part of youtube. Like seriously the production quality and content of these is insane. Please keep making more!!
Thanks Lucas!! I appreciate that - they take a long time to make :|
I love the bad script and good script comparison. Amazing work on this video. I'd say this movie and Mulholland Drive are probably my favorite films of all time.
You wouldn't believe how much this video has helped me with how I write my characters regarding theme and plot. Thank you for sharing what you love.
That's awesome to hear! :)
American Beauty is a great film but I actually watched this with Six Feet Under in mind. I just watched SFU for the first time recently and was incredibly moved. Alan Ball is a master of subtext.
I have honestly never thought about this movie in this way. This is an incredible way to view character dynamic
This channel is literally my favorite channel in all of TH-cam. If the video is about a movie you haven't seen it doesn't even matter, you don't need to watch the movie and if you do watch it after watching the video, it makes the movie even better to watch and think of what you remember all yourself. But if it's a video to a movie you've already seen, it makes the movie seem even more amazing as its being broken down in a way you didn't think of when you first watched it. It's honestly a cycle of great video to great film to even better video to even better film, I love it so much I'm not even sure if I'm coherent in my explanation of why.
And 4.) It also lets us know that Jane is sarcastic, revealing part of her personality, which is important for good dialogue as you mentioned moments prior.
GREAT VIDEO by the way!!! You know your stuff.
Just finished this movie today and it is now one of my most favorite films
Awesome video! You should do one on Almost Famous. Maybe a study on coming of age? The screenplay for that one is fantastic.
Good suggestion!
Do you think you could do a character dissection of the few main Freaks And Geeks characters? It'd be interesting to see your view on how their personality shapes the story.
Maybe breakdown - Shawshank Redemption, American History X, and Good Will Hunting....
and also these amazing films:
The Godfather 1 & 2
Apocalypse Now
The Empire Strikes Back
Chinatown
The Usual Suspects
Network
Birdman
Adapation (like an actual analysis even though I loved the short film)
Schindler's List
Citizen Kane
To Kill A Mockingbird
Goodfellas
Pulp Fiction
Her
Django Unchained
Taxi Driver
Blue Velvet
Forrest Gump
Knives Out
Back To The Future
Marriage Story
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Raging Bull
Fight Club
American Psycho
Shawshank Redemption:
th-cam.com/video/hBLUu3mQlmI/w-d-xo.html
Good Will Hunting:
th-cam.com/video/2X2LYml3D8E/w-d-xo.html
The bag scene gives me douche chills every time I see it, and it's all I can think about when this movie gets brought up.
This didn't even feel like 8 minutes. Brilliant!
I write a lot but I don't have the words to express how much I love you and your work. THANK YOU.
+Ori's Stories :)
American beauty is definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen
Again....Just Great!
It's amazing how you interpret things on their own
Omg. This video is amazing. I love this movie but never really thought that hard about it. Now the title finally makes sense to me!
:D
This is an excellent analysis. Thank you!
American Beauty is one of my all time favorite movie.
Thank you for this video.
I watched this back when it came out in the theaters forever ago. loved it. I haven't watched it since but I'm going to now. Great analysis.
Awesome! Enjoy :)
God, one of the best channels I've seen in a long while. Can't wait for the next one.
Thank you! :)
Wow, you are one committed, talented, yet humble, content creator. The way you reply to all comments is just so nice to see :) Thank you for what you do, can't wait for part two !
Thank you, that's a very sweet comment :) Feels like the least I can do - thanks for watching!
So glad you tackled this. One of my favorite movies. Great as always, keep it up!
One of my favorites as well :) Thanks!
I fell in love with the channel Every Frame a Painting and spent months looking for anyone else capable of doing such quality analysis work. When your first video hit I was ready to sit and binge watch everything you had ever made only to find out it was your first video. I jump up and down with glee every time I see new Every Frame a Paining and Lessons From the Screenplay productions. Both of you are on a level above anyone else I've seen. I would love to see a collaboration between the two of you (where you both analyze the same movie or film maker but not necessarily do videos together). I really do see your channel having enormous power in the future to influence film as an art form for the better. Thank you for the incredible work.
Check out Channel Criswell. You can thank me later... :)
That is very flattering, Brett, thank you. And thank you for considering me in such good company - I also love Every Frame a painting and would love to do some kind of collaboration with Tony at some point. I appreciate you taking the time to comment, it inspires me to keep going! :)
Superb essay. Alan Ball is a writer who is great at examining the human condition and all his characters have a uniquely humane and realistic quality which makes them so real.
Six Feet Under is where, I think he truly explored this, after having built on it with American Beauty.
I haven't seen Six Feet Under, and didn't know until recently that it was Alan Ball who created it. Now I can't wait to see it, I've only heard fantastic things.
I love this. I recently watched another youtubers analysis of this movie and it was so cold and judgemental. American Beauty is my favorite movie. It makes me cry, but it makes me feel like maybe I can continue (living) because something finally makes sense and for once its not being covered up.
I love this movie. Seen it at least 20 times.
2:00 - oops that's good split thou😂
*At every end of one of your episode I say to myself : "This is already the end". It is just 8 min long but i am so into it that i feel like i am watching a movie. You do great job and help me a lot to become a better storyteller. Thank you so much !*
These might be some of the best film essays on youtube. amazing stuff.
Thanks Ben! I really appreciate that.
You're awesome man, i love these kinds of videos. They really help me understand the true nature of films and give me a better perspective and glimpse into screenwriting. I would really love to pursue film as a career, i'd love to create stories like this that are more in depth than what people usually see at face value.
Thanks, I appreciate that! You should! All it takes is practice. We need more complex, compelling stories.
Exactly. Even films with seemingly basic story-lines can be incredibly complex. But i agree with you, this is a classic. I love it because of Spacey's incredible performance. This, Se7en, and House of Cards are some of his best works in my opinion.
Thank you sir. I had been going through a spell of writers block, but then I found your videos and am chock-full of ideas. Thank you for putting such thought and effort into your work. You can consider me your next binge watcher.
+Sean Thomason Fantastic! Glad it's helpful :)
Thank you very much! American beauty is my favorite movie of all time!!!
with every video from LFTS ...there's an enlightenment....thanks for such a detailed analysis !!
Thank you so much for this! American Beauty is such a phenomenal, life-altering movie. It has so much layer to it that you can analyze it from many perspectives.
I love this movie so much! I'm a huge fan of Alan Ball, he can write the realism and the sensibility of humans like no one. For me, this movie is like a preparation of Six Feet Under. It could almost be an episode of the show. And common, Jane is the perfect hybrid of Clair and Brenda
Great job! This was one of my favorite movies. The art of subtext is sometimes hard to convey in movies but American Beauty did it so well. I'm sure you'll discuss the very end with Wes Bentley looking over Kevin Spacey and what it really means.
Thanks! And thanks for supporting the channel on Patreon ;) I'm trying to stay focused on actual lessons and not do too much interpretation of themes and meanings, but on reddit someone just pointed out another video essay about American Beauty that does delve into that more: th-cam.com/video/K4Ghg7Dfs7A/w-d-xo.html
Shame you didn't cover the character of Angela. She's also a great example of someone trying to be someone who she really isn't, then at the end stops pretending. And like the other characters, as soon as she stops pretending, she becomes quite likable.
That was fascinating
Really insightful video, especially the parts surrounding John Truby's quote and the bad and good screenplay comparisons! Can't wait for part 2!!
Awesome!
You're teaching me a ton about the structure of good writing. Super valuable channel, much appreciated!
You have just become my favorite TH-camr in the movie genre. I only wish I had the means to contribute through Patron right now.
These videos are so interesting! Their structure represents a mastery of simplicity but style, as well as an efficient ability to inform. Make these all the time! They're awesome!
You make the best video essays i have ever seen in my life, I have been greatly inspired by your work and I am working on my first video essay on Whiplash movie which will be published in Arabic, I will add English subtitles only to know your opinion about the video
Greetings from Egypt
^this is awesome. Good luck on your video essay!
this is so useful and helpful for writing characters and plotlines thank you so much
Wonderful video. You've been killing it with these videos! I love American Beauty, so it was great to see you walk us through it. And that's the thing: you walk through it in a wonderful way. The way you show how it could've been written and how it WAS written. You also presented some ideas that I hadn't considered before. I can't wait for the future videos on this channel.
Awesome, I'm glad you're enjoying! And thanks for the comment, it's very motivating. :)
you already kill the narrative of your video yourself. Genius
Hey Michael,
Love your analysis. Great vid.
Its nice to find someone else with a deep interest in story + structure!
This is one of my all time favourites too.
I have a couple of added thoughts from my own breakdown.. which I spent a long time unlocking... hope you + others get something from it.
Im an Australian, but I use the word "we" here to make it an easier read.
----
*Gratitude * leads to * Prosperity* (aka Happiness)
- we have forgotten to be grateful for everything we have... this is why we are unhappy / depressed / unfulfilled. Americans have lost their way in pursuit of the American Dream. The pursuit of happiness.
We either have too little gratitude.. which leads to *Envy*
or we have too much.. which leads to *Fakeness / Flattery / Living in Denial*
For this movie in particular, Gratitude is defined as the willingness to..
*"See the beauty in every moment of your mundane life."*
- this is what is missing. what we have forgotten to do. what we don't allow ourselves to do. to be grateful.
This is a story about the systemic dysfunction that exists in white / middle class suburbia (and in the nation as a whole).
Its' about the inherent problems that our *"Morbid Obsession with possessing beautiful things"* is doing to the younger generations and the baby boomers.
The context is the battle for possession over Suburbia.
In the worldview of this story, suburbia has stopped being "a safe place to raise a family"... it has become the opposite... because their beautiful children are under threat of "deviants" / "sexual deviants" / "strangers". This is the white conservative prejudice (represented by Colonel Frank Fitts - who wants to make people "Fitt" into his traditional masculine/feminine mould)
The story is a comment on the old system of "Neighbourhood Watch".
or keeping watch over your neighbour which was originally designed to provide safety for families in the neighbourhood.. A healthy level of "watching" is important for a safe neighbourhood. An excess of this and you end up with perverts. A lack of this and you end up with isolation and abuse (substance etc) /domestic violence and sexually unhealthy behaviour - while noone sees or holds anyone else accountable.
--
Lester is forced to learn the lesson that we all need to learn, and it takes for him to be
"laid off" - laid off in a sense of losing your job.. and "laid off" in a sense of not getting laid"
for him to finally deal with this (which he fails to btw - which is why its a tragedy)
Theres a life lesson that has to be learnt by every character in this story and in middle class american dreamers lives... and that is to..
*Pay closer attention to the rising vibrations under the hood*
what does that mean?
American Beauty is a reflection of the fallout of sixties "good vibrations" hippy culture on the baby boomer generation...and the negative affects of this on the new generations goth obsession and reaction against the "beauty obsession" + materialism of their parents generation.
*rising vibrations* is a reference to Mindfulness Meditation which comes from eastern spirituality that entered mainstream cultural awareness around the sixties.
There are common symbols used in the story from this era.
type in "how to raise your vibrations" in google and you will see all the scenes from the film.
- eating raw food
- taking a spa bath
- pay close attention etc. etc.
"rising vibrations" is also a reference to teenage erections /maturbation.
It also refers to a "racing heart" aka anxiety. (this is why Lester stopped in the process of having sex with his daughters beautiful friend. He noticed the "rising vibrations under her hood" / "chest area". Happened right after she made herself vulnerable - opening her blouse.
*under the hood* has multiple meanings in that it means "what is going in the personal lives of their neighbours"...the neighbour "hood". What is happening behind closed doors.
also the word "hood" is a euphemism for the tip of a mans genitalia (which is why theres so much reference to masturbation etc)
also Alan Ball (writer) is known to be homosexual. He has made two gay characters next door an example of gay men who have learnt the stories life lesson to.."Pay closer attention to the rising vibrations under the hood"
- they dont just see eachother as sex objects, but as a family (incl. their neighbourhood 'watch dog') + they take enough interest to look out for the well-being of their neighbours without becoming perverts/intrusive.
the moral to the story is..
Everyone needs to learn to "Pay closer attention to the rising vibrations under the hood"
1. Within themselves (their internal feelings thoughts / spirit /anxieties )
2. In their intimate relationships (family / partners / loved ones)
3. In their neighbourhood (next door / whole suburb)
we can do this by relaxing.. and allowing ourselves to ..
*See the beauty in every moment of their mundane life.*
and from that place of gratitude.. they will not want to take advantage of themselves (masturbation), others (beautiful neighbours / partners) ..but will desire to take care of them. protect them from harm/ drugs etc....become a caretaker of self + others.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life." - Lester Burnheim
it can be the perfect movie. The style - and the scenario... It have a place in my favorite list on boxxy software. Nice one.
Watched it again last night so so so amazing
Another great video, Michael! Seriously, I see this channel blowing up moreso than Every Frame a Painting and Now You See It (and I love them as well). Can't wait for the second video!
+joshboy64 Thank you! Those are both great channels and I'm honored to be considered amongst them :)
Dude i really like writing, especially for movies since they're so different from novels. Your channel is amazing, i love it. Keep the good work!
Dude you're channel could not have appeared during a more important time for me. Working on a project developing story and character scripts right now, and for an amateur like myself this insight is gold.
Please keep up the awesome work and can't wait till next week :)
Fantastic! Glad to hear it :)
The character scheme is great, I learn a lot from this video! Please continue to make more of these, thank you ;)
Thank you! Will do ;)
Great work! I spent a lot of money on script analysis books but your videos are just outstanding!
Thank you!
Please do the screenplay of the Before Sunrise Trilogy. I've always been fascinated by how it was portrayed realistically.
Thank you soooooo much for this video Michael! It gives great direction in how to create all the characters in the world of the film! Right now its at nearly 827,000 views. This video should get double, triple the views for its value!
do breaking bad next!!!!!!
I can't believe no one had suggested that yet...
Please do! That'd be a great video!
Guilhem Kuczynski I could only find a couple breaking bad scripts on the internet :(
Forrest Robinson Guilhem Kuczynski A friend of mine has a few, including the script for 301. I forget which episode that is, but probably more interesting than the pilot.
yes!
this is still in my top 5 of favorite films!
Such a great film. And I I'm legitimately going to be looking at characters as different aspects of a theme from now on. So helpful, so good.
Thanks Adam! My goal is to ruin your movie-going experience, one video at a time :P
Please make more videos, this is fantastic!
On it!
Spent all day studying screenplays, this came at the best time, love your work.
Awesome! Were you studying specific screenplays or screenwriting in general?
+Lessons from the Screenplay picked up a book by Jeffery Scott on writing animation, been watching/ reading The Last Airbender and Kung Fu Panda whilst doing my own stuff.
+James Lynch not exactly American Beauty I know but still aha
That's awesome! That book sounds interesting, I'm curious what specific lessons there are for writing animation.
+Lessons from the Screenplay yeah it's abit out dated but still relevant, he talks about the industry a lot and what they expect. The most notable difference from live action I've found is description on the screenplay, he uses a neat example of a TMNT cartoon he wrote. Worth a read :)
I write screenplays myself and I just want to tell you what an amazing job you do with your videos. Subscribed!
Thanks Tristan! I appreciate that!
0:33 Look Closer... Classic!!! Great job man, keep it up!
i had to stop the video just to write how much that stuff is well-tought
i've never found an amazing cinema essay channel as every frame a painting until now, the moment i've stopped the video
also thanks for the subtitles, english isn't my first language(italian)
So just keep growing as channel man, that's gold stuff.
also without english subtitles it's understandable(the essay it's well written) but just keep them
Awesome! I'm glad :) And I'm glad the subtitles help - I'll be sure to keep doing them.
I hope you do The Social Network. Sorkin is my favorite screenwriter, and i'd love to see your take on it.
This is instantly one of my favourite channels on TH-cam, and I'm only two videos in
+Daniel Väeger Awesome!!
Awesome, it's really great to see an example of how powerful and important dialogue is. That dining room scene is just painful to watch.