The American Dream in Citizen Kane, The Grapes of Wrath, and American Beauty
1. For Next Time 2/22
Think about this:
- How would you define “The American Dream” as it
relates to you.
-- Consider the treatment of “The American Dream”
as portrayed in Citizen Kane, The Grapes of Wrath, and
American Beauty. Consider any parallels found in
Charles Foster Kane, Tom Joad, and Lester Burnham.
Consider the contrasts. Be ready to discuss and
present next time.
Read Wikipedia article on Elia Kazan (http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elia_Kazan)
View On The Waterfront
2. American Beauty
(1999)
What are your expectations based on the trailer?
Does the trailer suggest any motifs?
3. American Beauty
(1999)
What are your expectations based on the trailer?
Does the trailer suggest any motifs?
4. Director- Sam Mendes
American Beauty was
his first movie.
He was previously
best know for his
work in the theatre.
He achieved major
success with his
revival of Cabaret in
1998.
5. Director- Sam Mendes
American Beauty was
his first movie.
He was previously
best know for his
work in the theatre.
He achieved major
success with his
revival of Cabaret in
1998.
6. Screenwriter- Alan Ball
(born May 13, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia) is
an Academy Award-winning screenwriter,
director, producer and occasional actor,
who is best known for writing the
screenplay for the Oscar-winning film
American Beauty, and for creating the HBO
original drama series Six Feet Under.
Sam Mendes- Director
Alan Ball- Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg- Producer
7. Cinematographer- Conrad L. Hall
(June 21, 1926 - January 4,
2003) was a top-billed
Hollywood cinematographer
and three-time Academy
Award-winner. He received
three Academy Awards for
Best Cinematography: for
Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid (1969),
American Beauty (1999), and
Road to Perdition (2002)
65. American Beauty
The filmmakers, overtly and covertly, advise us to look
closer. Consider this concept as it applies to your assigned
character, in each component listed below. Provide specific
examples from the film to support you assertions.
•What is our initial perception of this character as he or she
is introduced in the film.
•What is the result when we “look closer” at the character?
•What is the character seeking in his/her life?
•Does this motivation change during the progress of the
film? How? Why?
•Discuss the impact of any of the film’s motifs on the
development of the character.