American Beauty Lester Burnham, the Essay

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The fact that he commits suicide supports the belief that he is unable to live with his memories in boot camp, given that he was permanently traumatized. The film's general character changes significantly after the sergeant and Pyle die and one can almost say that it turns into a typical war movie from that point on.

The Hurt Locker Although the action in this film revolves around the Iraq War, it is not actually meant to discuss this conflict. Its main purpose is to have people acknowledge the effect that war has on soldiers and on their failure to integrate society properly consequently to taking part in a conflict. While the film uses the character of William James to exemplify a soldier's experience during warfare, it can be considered to portray sentiments felt by soldiers everywhere. The masses typically see soldiers as fierce warriors capable to make it in any environment. However, some of them are, in reality, unlikely to be assimilated into a normal community as a result of their experiences and because of their values.

The moment when James returns home and finds that it is difficult to perform some of the most menial tasks is extremely significant in revealing his personality. It is not necessarily that he is introverted, as the events that he went through prevent him from behaving like a normal person. A war veteran is thus perfectly able to avoid being shot and to defuse bombs, but he is less likely to make it as a simple man in a normal world. One of the reasons for this is that James was perfectly aware that most people at home had nothing to do with the war. They were not familiar with the fact that Americans and innocent civilians from Iraq were suffering.

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Simple people are caught up in their daily commute and provide soldiers with a somewhat indifferent environment.

Casablanca This classic motion picture discusses a frequently debated topic regarding people sacrificing themselves in order to serve a greater good. Humphrey Bogart's character, Rick Blaine, is initially fueled by his determination to experience as little distress as possible as a consequence of the war. His former lover disrupts his harmony as she intervenes and claims to be still in love with, putting him in an uncomfortable position.

Considering that the storyline is based on the Second World War context, Rick's dedication seems even more impressive, as he portrays in one of the individuals who did something to help people likely to become victims. Both Rick and Ilsa realize that the importance of their love pales in comparison to the importance of refugees escaping to America. Although Laszlo is also determined to lend a hand to those who are against the Axis powers, it appears that he feels less willing to risk his life for the benefit of others. Rick is likely to know this as well, thus the reason for which he is hesitant about taking Ilsa and boarding the plane himself. Rick's attitude is typical for the classical hero who will not hesitate to risk his own life in order to seem a true idol. Ilsa contrasts him, as she ignores the risks related to staying with Rick and insists that he accepts her demand. Rick's behavior might also be caused by the fact that he knows that Laszlo went through the horrors in a Nazi camp. It is as if he understands his suffering and realizes that the most effective way to contribute to Laszlo's recovery would be for him to give up Ilsa.

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