American beauty

With in this film, a variety of different dramatic techniques have been purposely used to build tension and add structure to the film. This can be identified by the following points:

• Slow zooming camera frames to build tension 
• Using sad, slow music... perhaps to reflect Lester's inner emotions
• His wife is a more dominant figure with in the family, this could be seen as going against stereotypical expectations of the traditional American family in films
• The colour motif of red, white and blue is re enforced many times through your the scenes, this is to emphasise they are a classic American family
• The music used (Bali Hai) is a traditional old fashioned song, perhaps this is significant to show that the mum has old fashioned values OR she misses the past 
• Roses feature multiple times, this may emphasise their significance throughout the film (what do they represent/ be linked with)
• The lighting is significant as it oftern focouses on the daughter (she is well lit), where as, the mum and dad are offered in the shadows
• Leaders clothing is dull and bland- this may represent him as a character, maybe this could further express depression with in his character
• Leather is presented as a depressed, un happy, insecure, submissive character 
• Carolyn is dominant, sharp, formal, well presented and a harsh individual- perhaps she is trying to cover up her issues by staying focused on homelife
• Jane is unhappy and frustrated most of the time, this is perhaps a typical idealisation of teenagers