ople say Lester found his true identity and released his mask during the second half of the movie. I might argue and say it was when he laid there, ever so peaceful, dead in the pile of thick red blood with a big smile across his face. While Lester wears his mask throughout the movie, he doesnt realize that hes not the only one. His wife Carolyn also seems to be putting up an act for the communities attention. Allen Ball, the writer of American Beauty makes Carolyn seem to be the character in the film that cares the most about what people think of her. Therefore she wears a mask throughout the movie and is late to reveal her true identity. In the beginning of the movie we get to see an outside portrait of the house. She has all of the bushes and flowers trimmed to perfection and loves being extremely friendly towards all the neighbors. Her neighbors are led to get the impression that she is living the most perfect life while obtaining loving and caring relationships. Little do they know what really goes on inside her house. It almost seems as if Carolyn has a different identity/mask waiting for her at the doorstep of the house. Inside while being with the family she is very demanding and has to have things her way. She feels that if she is the one preparing the food for the family, than the dinner settings must be the way she wants it and no other way. Carolyn is a real estate agent who gets overpowered by her competition The King. Being easily intimidated by the top real estate agent she feels that she must be someone totally different than herself. Carolyn is too afraid to be herself mainly because she hasnt really had a firm grip to what its like. When first meeting Buddy Kane (The King) she felt she must have her husband along with herself put on an act just for Buddy Kane to accept them. They soon start talking to each other and find that they have the most materialistic things in common with each other. After Lester ...
