American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Jane rejects Angela's friendship and chooses Ricky, agreeing to leave with him.

Scene 128 of 163 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Last scene of act two

Plot Point II
Jane
Angela
Ricky

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:23 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 128

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.
Scene 122
The Colonel expels Ricky, severing the fragile family tie that had begun to soften him.
Just before
Scene 125
The Colonel closes the curtains after Ricky disappears into the Burnham home.
Scene 126
Carolyn's Mercedes sits on the freeway shoulder with its hazard lights blinking in the rain.
Scene 127
Carolyn listens to motivational advice about refusing victimhood and takes the Glock from the glove compartment.
Scene 128
This scene

128INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Angela is sprawled across the bed. Jane stands across the room from her.

JANE

I don't think we could be friends

anymore.

ANGELA

You are way too uptight about sex.

JANE

Just don't fuck my dad, all right?

Please?

ANGELA

Why not?

There is a KNOCK on the door. Jane sits up, alarmed.

JANE

(angry)

Dad! Leave us alone!

RICKY (O.C.)

It's me.

Jane jumps up and opens the door and lets him in.

RICKY (CONT'D)

(to Jane)

If I had to leave tonight, would

you come with me?

JANE

What?

RICKY

If I had to go to New York. To

live. Tonight. Would you come with

me?

JANE

Yes.

ANGELA

You guys can't be serious.

(to Jane)

You're just a kid. And he's like, a

mental case. You'll end up living

in a box on the street.

JANE

I'm no more a kid than you are!

( to Ricky)

We can use my plastic surgery

money.

RICKY

We won't have to. I have over forty

thousand dollars. And I know people

in the city who can help us get set

up.

ANGELA

What, other drug dealers?

RICKY

Yes.

ANGELA

Jane, you'd be out of your mind to

go with him.

JANE

Why do you even care?