Exhibit 2(b) CONSENT OF MAYER, BROWN & PLATT We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Additional Information section comprising a part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Form S-6 Registration Statement of American General Life Insurance Company Separate Account VL-R with respect to File No. 333-53909. /s/MAYER, BROWN & PLATT ----------------------- MAYER, BROWN & PLATT Washington, D.C. August 17, 1998