American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Ricky leaves with Jane and Carolyn while Lester signals him to call; the Colonel watches, troubled.

Scene 108 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Lester
Ricky

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:12 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 108

After becoming infatuated with his teenage daughter’s friend, a dissatisfied suburban father quits his job and pursues a more vivid life, unsettling his family and drawing him into the orbit of a troubled teenage neighbor.

Scenes 1–13
Lester is trapped in a suburban routine of corporate work and a marriage performed for appearances.
Scenes 14–31
Family estrangement and his attraction to Angela expose how urgently Lester wants to feel alive.
Scenes 32–75
Lester follows the desire into risky fantasy, exercise and open defiance of Carolyn.
Scenes 76–90
Lester quits and takes a fast-food job while Jane and Ricky begin connecting in parallel.
Scenes 91–102
Lester wins control of his daily life and openly rejects the family's old rules.
Just before
Scene 105
Lester runs down Robin Hood Trail, enjoying his stronger body.
Scene 106
Jane confronts Lester about his fixation on Angela; he insults her and regrets it.
Scene 107
The Colonel watches Ricky get ready and hides his tenderness when Ricky says he will ride with Jane's family.
Scene 108
This scene

108EXT. FITTS HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - MOMENTS LATER

Ricky emerges from the house, followed by the Colonel, who watches his son as he heads toward the Burnham house. His POV: Carolyn waves from the Mercedes, flashing an insincere smile.

Jane leans forward from the passenger seat and glares at us. As Ricky starts to get in the car, Lester emerges from the house in his sweatpants.

LESTER

Yo, Ricky. How's it going?

RICKY

Pretty decent, Mr. Burnham.

Ricky pulls his door shut, but not before Lester mouths "call me" and Ricky gives a slight nod in acknowledgment.

CLOSE on the Colonel's face: he looks confused. As the Mercedes backs out of the driveway, Lester glances over at him.

Lester's POV: The Colonel watches the car driving off, then looks at us. His face tightens.

LESTER studies him for a moment, then grins and salutes before going inside the house. CLOSE on the Colonel, deeply troubled.