American Beach House

🎥 Synopsis

As the title suggests in the movie ‘American Beach House (2015)’, the drugs and the ultra-modern Malibu house not only define the luxurious life of Americans, but also set the base for the secretive life of the parties lavishly hosted there. And while everything seems idyllic, underneath the glimmering tan, smiles, and suggestive glances lies some game none of the players seem to fully grasp.

The overarching plot is quite straightforward. Seven strangers filtered through a gaunt of application forms with a single common aim of fame and love resolve to go over to spend a weekend in an extravagant Malibu beach house. However, as expected, the show has rules. In the mansion, there he is with his chiseled jaw, Covid-era mullet that extends an inches over the collar of his oversized American flag shirt, the figurehead of kindness = Mike.

Janelle – the former social media influencer – is the first to get excited. She is smart, secretive, and as per the show, clearly not just another pretty face. Other contestants pull off a feeble attempt at socializing with the psychologist clad in breezy pastel scrubs, focused on ascribing a formal diagnosis to everyone else. You also find Samantha, a reckless, unapologetic party queen determined, like the tornado she is, to stay at the center of the limelight at all costs. She is only capped in by the infighting beach bod perfection and the tangled web of envy wrapped in a thin veneer of ambition.While the clothes come off and alcohol flows freely, new alliances form and betrayals ignite as the once idealistic paradise morphs into an unforgiving pressure cooker. Secrets spill out in between taking shots of tequila and slow-motion volleyball montages. The foundation of past lives loom into view, shifting personas come into question and the truth becomes apparent – someone is lying.

The final day arrives and the culmination of everything leaves the last trace of logic shattered. A mix of reality TV fantasies and psychological warfare emerges, replacing the once flirty vacation. The shift protrudes further in to the surreal fever dream, all while trust collapses like a house of cards. With the sun blistering down, bronzed skin and bikinis everywhere, it becomes apparent that someone might not leave the house alive.

🌟 Highlighted Performances

Janelle and Rob Gronkowski cameos – Barton portrays Janelle as the emotionally stoic character who heightens this otherwise simple world. For what could have easily been dubbed a shallow role, Barton goes above and beyond bringing deeper layers to her character’s quiet yet watchful demeanor.

As himself, Rob Gronkowski – The NFL superstar shows up for a dose of satire styled reality as he makes his turn leaving the audience in stitches with his absurd and tongue-in-cheek bravado.

Supporting Cast – Each add their own spin ranging from playful to absurdly over the top. Together with the rising actors and influencers, the models help set the film’s purposefully campy and self aware tone.

🖋️ Themes and Tone

Psychoanalysis is not the focus of American Beach House. The film is more of a softcore fantasy soaked in melodrama and satire. However, it does touch on deeper themes which feel indeed strange and elusive:

Fame and performance – Each character has a unique role, and beneath their carefully built identities, there is a raw, unguarded vulnerability.

Identity and illusion – What does it truly mean to be recognized? And what transpires if the persona you’ve worked so hard to curate turns out to be a prison?

Escape and consequence – The beach is a world of make-believe, but it does not shelter you from the baggage you bring along.

The film’s tone is overly optimistic, loud, and self-indulgent. The camera work features over the top lens flares and golden sunsets, sculpted bodies, and sunsets that are so golden they are borderline parodic. Ironically, with the overt style comes a lessened sense of anxiety. It is reminiscent of a party that seems to be going on just slightly too long.

📝 Conclusion

While the frosty façade of American Beach House may protrude as just an easy-going beachside romp, at a deeper level lies an uncanny, placid psychological experiment. It is dreamlike in its detachment, voyeuristic in depth, and intentionally absurd. Even though the plot does not conclude with an action-packed climax, rather it takes a softer approach; a slow fade which leaves the audience questioning the sheer reality of the events alongside the many personas the characters seem to put on.