American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Buddy ends the affair over the cost of divorce; Carolyn slaps herself and screams in the car.

Scene 113 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Buddy
Carolyn

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:16 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 113

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 110
Lester flips burgers at Mr. Smiley's and recognizes Carolyn and Buddy ordering at the drive-through.
Scene 111
Lester confronts Carolyn and Buddy at the window, saying he wants her to be happy but will not be controlled.
Scene 112
Carolyn pulls into the motel as storm clouds gather around her affair.
Scene 113
This scene

113INT. MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 - CONTINUOUS

Carolyn grips the wheel tightly, staring straight ahead. Buddy looks at her unhappily.

BUDDY

I'm sorry. I guess we should cool

it for a while. I'm facing a

potentially very expensive divorce.

CAROLYN

Oh, no. I understand completely.

(sarcastic)

In order to be successful, one must

project an image of success. At all

times.

She regrets it the second it's out of her mouth, and turns to him. He just looks at her sadly, then gets out of the car and shuts the door. She starts to CRY. As before, she SLAPS herself, hard.

CAROLYN (CONT'D)

Stop it. Stop it!

She closes her eyes tight, trying to stop the tears, then suddenly SCREAMS as loud as she can.