Sexuality in Films /"American Beauty"

By Kathie Easter, 
for The Paper Store February, 2000

  In today's society, it is impossible to turn 

on a television, pick up a magazine, or even 

walk down a city street without receiving 

messages about sex from commercials, ads, and 

billboards. Some of the most potent messages of 

cultural interpretations of sexuality and gender 

are transmitted to the public through the medium 

of contemporary cinema. One such film, which 

has received a great deal of critical praise, 

is "American Beauty," which presents an 

intriguing look at life in suburban America. An 

examination of this film demonstrates how 

certain stereotypical concepts of gender are 

beginning to change within mainstream American 

culture.

   The story present in "American Beauty" focuses 

on Lester Burnham (played by Kevin Spacey), a 

middle-aged suburbanite who is saddled with a 

job he hates; a shrill wife (Carolyn, played by 

Annette Bening); and a sullen adolescent 

daughter (Jane, played by Thora Birch). Other 

characters in this modern day morality play 

include Burham's neighbor, a retired military 

officer, Colonel Fitts (played by Chris 

Cooper); and his odd teenage son, Ricky (played 

by Wes Bentley). The only happy and apparently 

well-adjusted couple in this particular corner 

of suburban America are the two "Jims" (played 

by Scott Bakula and Sam Robards), two clean-cut 

gay young men who like to job together.

   Among the other various messages that this 

film conveys about sexuality, it can be seen as 

a cautionary tale of homosexual panic. While 

the main story concerns the midlife crisis of 

Lester Burnham, a subplot provides a telling 

commentary on way that homosexuality has been 

perceived in this culture. The relationship that 

is portrayed between Colonel Fitts and his son 

makes it clear that Colonel Fitts has suppressed 

homosexual feelings. At one point Colonel Fitts 

strikes out at his son when he discovers Ricky 

and Jane rummaging through his war memorabilia. 

The film suggests that the violence in the 

Colonel's nature comes from hidden secrets. 

Ricky tells Lester, "Never underestimate the 

power of denial."

    Fitts has denied his true nature because of 

the traditional view of homosexuality in 

mainstream American culture. The implication is 

that he turned to the military to reaffirm his 

masculinity and in denying his true feelings, 

perverted is nature. The two men (the couple 

where both men are named "Jim") that 

acknowledge their feelings have created a good 

life together. Fitts, on the other hand, has 

made life hell for his wife and son.

    Sociologists would say that Fitts confused 

sexuality and gender. Sex refers to whether an 

individual is biologically male or female. 

Sexual behavior refers to the "sexual acts that 

people engage in…(it) involves the things 

people do alone for pleasure and stimulation and 

the things they do with other people" 

(Schwartz; Rutter, 1998, p. 2). The concept of 

gender encompasses both "biological and social 

contexts" of sexual behavior and desire (p. 2). 

Gender is "a social characteristic of 

individuals in our society that is only 

sometimes consistent with biological sex" 
(p. 2).