Sam Mendes' erotic thriller American Beauty focuses prominently on what it truly means to be happy. Kevin Spacey's character Lester Burnham is stuck in a loveless, sexual marriage and doesn't really understand the whims of his daughter. He hates his job and regularly masturbates in shower cubicles to pass the time. On top of all of that, he has a roaring crush on his daughter's seductive friend Angela. Things aren't going great, until one day, he chooses not to care. He leaves his wife when she sleeps with someone else, abandons his job for a fast food post and starts working out to impress the woman of his dreams. On the day that he dies, Lester is on top of the world. He is living the dream financially, and is beginning to see the beauty of the world around him. When lustful Angela throws herself at him, he switches to the role of a father figure and comforts her in her hour of need, rather than taking advantage of her youth and vulnerability. As he contemplates this, he is shot in the back of the head. Spacey's performance throughout American Beauty is solid, but the smile on his face as he lies bleeding is the perfect summation of his character. He has achieved happiness in its purest sense and understands the true beauty of the world, so is unmoved by the shock of death.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
