permeating images that have consumed mainstream American life. Mendes exploits these

images as constructions that we created around ourselves as a means of hiding our true selves. Mendes is able to implicate us in the construction and make us active viewers by exploiting our voyeuristic nature, the nature of a prying observer to usually seek the sordid or the scandalous. In American Beauty, Mendes uses the voyeuristic tendencies of the spectator to acknowledge the constructed images. Also, through the use of narration, the mise- en- scene and cinematic techniques, Mendes has the spectator use their voyeuristic tendencies to deconstruct the images in order to reveal the true image. From the start of the film the construction of images is evident.

American Beauty begins with the obvious constructed shot of a young teenage girl, shown through the use of a hand-held camera. The narration reveals that she wants her father dead. The image portrayed about her is constructed as an evil, unaffectionate youth. The next scene is of a high angle shot, with a voice-over narration. The voice-over goes to explain that Lester Burnham is speaking.

potential home buyers did not buy into the image of the home, we as the voyeur are warned not to 'buy' into the images of the characters.

a point to appreciate the beauty we must strip away the complex layers which we have surrounded ourselves with. This is Mendes point, the need to deconstruct the permeating ideologies within our culture.

turing images wherever they may appear. As voyeurs we are not only implicated in the act looking with Rickey, Mendes also constructs us to be implicated in the images it projects. By using the video camera Mendes, gives us two different images of the same situation. By doing such, demands us to see the construction of the image and asks us to deconstruct it, to look closer, to be active voyeurs within the film. Mendes renders two different approaches to one scene. When Jane and Lester are arguing in the kitchen, there is so much colour that the perfect image is barely distorted. Yet seeing through Rickey's camera, the color is lost, the image looks stale and dull, lifeless. Mendes forces us to deconstruct the situation from a small disagreement, to a joyless existence and obviously troublesome relationship. There is no happiness between the two and the perfect American family image is beginning to deconstruct. The secret about the real family is beginning to unravel under the !

The narration that accompanies the scene is allowing our voyeuristic desires to enter into the private lives without guilt or shame. Mendes as does Lester asks the spectator to be the voyeur. As well the sign on Lester's cubicle wall is not a coincidence. Mendes is again soliciting the spectator's voyeuristic nature by placing a sign that asks us to "look closer." This theme of looking past the constructed images is Mendes way of telling us to look past the superficial images that we represent and to find a way to see our true selves. The construction of images within the narrative is important to how Mendes constructs them through cinematic techniques. Carolyn Burnham, real estate agent, mother and wife have been, from the very beginning is constructed through the narrative in such a way that the spectator defines her as someone who is consumed by the importance of projecting and maintaining the perfect image. She is often caught, consciously making references concerning imag!

Mendes implicates us and exploits our voyeuristic tendencies further through the use of cinematic techniques. From the opening shot of Jane, Mendes incorporates the use of a video camera. The use of the camera serves two important functions. In a way it validates Carolyn's obsession with always needing to project the image. The repeated use of the video camera establishes the theme that someone is always watching. The use of the video camera confirms Carolyn's ideologies that image must always be at their best. As well since the video camera is able to into anything it validates Carolyn's reasoning for extending her images to include the house and everyone who are part of the house. The second way Mendes uses the video camera rel

Some common words found in the essay are:
Jane Burnham, Jane Lester, Buddy King, Beauty Mendes, Jane Mendes, American Beauty, Lester Burnham, Mendes Lester, Sam Mendes, Rickey Mendes, video camera, american beauty, constructed images, mise en scene, mise en, en scene, images characters, voyeuristic tendencies, mendes constructs, close-up shot, throughout film, image house carolyn, video camera mendes, potential home buyers, rickey video camera,
Approximate Word count = 2053
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)