I don’t quite hate American Beauty. Cathy thinks that Lester Burnham is redeemed in the end, first by correcting the defects in his life and second by not succumbing to the crime of ephebophila. My take is that he’s a snarky pomo asshole from start to finish. I think the philosophical argument of the film is made by the clip of the plastic bag being buffeted at random by the winds: Nothing is everything. Ick.
But: Even ickier: American Beauty brings us the all-time most hideous portrayal of the real estate business. A piece of that is shown in the clip linked below, Carolyn Burnham defiling herself at open house. It were well to be free from pestilential, confiscatory government, which is what we celebrate today with beer and fireworks. But there is something to be said for breaking free from phony, prostrate selling stunts, too.
Technorati Tags: real estate, real estate marketing
Robert Kerr says:
Heh. I forgot that John Cho (Harold of Harold and Kumar) was in that.
I’m disappointed, Greg, I expected the “YES! YES! YOU’RE THE KING!” scene after reading your “defiling” comment.
July 4, 2007 — 6:36 pm
Dave Barnes says:
Grammar Nazi.
Ephebophilia is correct.
July 4, 2007 — 7:44 pm
Barry Bevis says:
That was thoroughly depressing- as was the movie.
I agree that the nothing is everything is nothing but nonsense.
Thank God that my Real Estate carer does not resemble that clip!
July 5, 2007 — 11:05 am
Mike Elliott says:
Perhaps an extremely over-the-top portrayal by Annette Benning, but it serves to remind the rest of us how silly and downright offensive we can look to the outside world.
http://mikeelliottsblog.wordpress.com
July 6, 2007 — 8:45 am