American Beauty (1999 film) as Lester and Angela get closer, finally taking the roses—and thus Carolyn—out of the shot. Lester's epiphany at the end of the film is expressed by rain and the use of red, building to a crescendo that is a deliberate contrast to the release Lester feels. The constant use of red "lulls [the audience] subliminally" into becoming used to it; consequently, it leaves the audience unprepared when Lester is shot and his blood spatters on the wall. Pennington argues that "American Beauty" defines its characters through their sexuality. Lester's attempts to relive his youth are a direct result of his
Burnham, Illinois Burnham, Illinois Burnham is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,206 at the 2010 census. The ZIP code is 60633. Burnham has a Chicago ZIP code, and is often mistakenly considered part of Chicago. It is, however, an independent municipality lying just south of the Chicago city limits. Burnham was named for Telford Burnham who drew its plat; not, as is widely assumed, by Chicago city planner and architect Daniel Burnham. There are two sections of Burnham. The westernmost section surrounds Torrence Avenue, a north-south street. Torrence Avenue leaves this part of Burnham via a