American Beauty

In a suburban community, a middle-aged man's midlife crisis leads him to rebel against the conformity of his life, resulting in unexpected consequences for his family.

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Overview

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Unique Selling Point

What sets 'American Beauty' apart is its unflinching examination of the American Dream and the dark undercurrents of suburban life. The screenplay's ability to blend dark humor with poignant emotional moments creates a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences, making them reflect on their own lives and societal norms. Its unique perspective on beauty, desire, and the quest for authenticity in a conformist world makes it a timeless piece of storytelling.

AI Verdict & Suggestions

Ratings are subjective. So you get different engines’ ratings to compare.

Claude
 Recommend
GPT4
 Highly Recommend
Story Facts

Genres: Drama, Comedy, Romance, Family, Dark Comedy, Thriller, Coming of Age

Setting: Late 1990s, Suburban neighborhood in the United States

Themes: Midlife Crisis, Family Dynamics, Identity and Self-Discovery, Sexuality and Desire, Conformity and Rebellion

Conflict & Stakes: The primary conflicts revolve around Lester's midlife crisis and desire for freedom, Jane's struggle with her identity and family relationships, and Carolyn's ambition clashing with her family's disintegration. The stakes include the emotional well-being of the family and the consequences of Lester's actions.

Mood: Darkly comedic and introspective

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The juxtaposition of suburban life with dark, existential themes, exploring the hidden desires and discontent of seemingly ordinary characters.
  • Plot Twist: The shocking and violent climax that abruptly alters the narrative and character trajectories, leaving a lasting impact.
  • Innovative Ideas: The use of voiceover narration to provide insight into Lester's thoughts and reflections, enhancing the emotional depth.
  • Distinctive Settings: The contrast between the idyllic suburban neighborhood and the characters' internal struggles, creating a visually striking backdrop.

Comparable Scripts: American Beauty, The Virgin Suicides, Little Children, Revolutionary Road, Donnie Darko, The Graduate, Six Feet Under, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Fargo

Script Level Analysis

This section delivers a top-level assessment of the screenplay’s strengths and weaknesses — covering overall quality (P/C/R/HR), character development, emotional impact, thematic depth, narrative inconsistencies, and the story’s core philosophical conflict. It helps identify what’s resonating, what needs refinement, and how the script aligns with professional standards.

Screenplay Insights

Breaks down your script along various categories.

Story Critique
Big-picture feedback on the story’s clarity, stakes, cohesion, and engagement.
Characters

Explores the depth, clarity, and arc of the main and supporting characters.

Emotional Analysis

Breaks down the emotional journey of the audience across the script.

Goals and Philosophical Conflict
Evaluates character motivations, obstacles, and sources of tension throughout the plot.
Themes
Analysis of the themes of the screenplay and how well they’re expressed.
Logic & Inconsistencies
Highlights any contradictions, plot holes, or logic gaps that may confuse viewers.

Scene Analysis

All of your scenes analyzed individually and compared, so you can zero in on what to improve.

Scene-Level Percentile Chart
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Go to Scene Analysis

Other Analyses

This section looks at the extra spark — your story’s voice, style, world, and the moments that really stick. These insights might not change the bones of the script, but they can make it more original, more immersive, and way more memorable. It’s where things get fun, weird, and wonderfully you.

Unique Voice
Assesses the distinctiveness and personality of the writer's voice.
Writer's Craft
Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.
Memorable Lines
Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.
Tropes
Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.
World Building
Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.
Correlations
Identifies patterns in scene scores.
Loglines
Presents logline variations based on theme, genre, and hook.