How the Film "American Animals" Demonstrates That Perceived Desire Can Be Misleading Teyah Braithwaite 11th Grade

A sense of purpose is at the heart of identity. Individuals seek meaning in life, contentedness, clear life intentions. Without an obvious plan, individuals tend to question themselves. The typical queries ensue, "Who am I? What makes me unique?" existential-crisis inducing panic. Often, this causes impulsivity and out-of-character behaviour that can potentially cause harm. The film American Animals, directed by Bart Layton, perfectly encapsulates the flustered search for identity through the experiences of Spencer Reinhard, Warren Lipka, Chas Allen, and Eric Borsuk. Their actions portrayed in the film show their longing for purpose, which inevitably results in punishment. Unfortunate choices were made by the boys, provoked by their own ill-guided perception. The ramifications of their decisions indicate that envisaged desire can be deceptive.

Artists often present their work with a deeper meaning to be interpreted, frequently based on their own life experiences and hardships. The film American Animals presents Spencer Reinhard as a struggling artist, yearning for some escapade to find deeper meaning in his art. He states, "Art has to be more than my life is great, and I'm really good at drawing," showing his desire for an...