American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Angela tells Lester she is a virgin; he stops, covers her and comforts her instead of exploiting her.

Scene 143 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Save the Cat: Break into Three
Angela
Lester

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:29 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 143

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.
Scenes 103–128
Jane and Ricky's plans, the Colonel's expulsion of Ricky and Carolyn's gun bring serious costs to the upheaval.
Just before
Scene 140
Carolyn drives home repeating that she refuses to be a victim and prepares to confront Lester.
Scene 141
Lester undresses Angela on the couch as she remains uncertain.
Scene 142
Jane and Ricky lie together and discuss whether they are afraid and whether their parents will look for them.
Scene 143
This scene

143INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Lester starts unbuttoning Angela's blouse. She seems disconnected from what's happening. Lester pulls her blouse open, exposing her breasts. Lester looks down at her, grinning, unable to believe he's actually about to do what he's dreamed of so many times, and then...

ANGELA

This is my first time.

Lester LAUGHS.

LESTER

You're kidding.

ANGELA

(a whisper)

I'm sorry.

A beat. Lester looks down at her, his grin fading. His POV: Angela lies beneath us, embarrassed and vulnerable. This is not the mythically carnal creature of Lester's fantasies; this is a nervous child.

ANGELA (CONT'D)

I still want to do it... I just

thought I should tell you... in

case you wondered why I wasn't...

better.

Lester's face falls. There's no way he's going to go through with this now.

ANGELA (CONT'D)

(confused)

What's wrong? I thought you said I

was beautiful.

LESTER

(tenderly)

You are beautiful.

He grabs a blanket from the back of the couch and drapes it around her shoulders, covering her nakedness.

LESTER (CONT'D)

You are so beautiful... and I would

be a very lucky man...

He smiles and shakes his head. Humiliated, Angela starts to cry.

ANGELA

I feel so stupid.

LESTER

Don't.

He hugs her, letting her put her head on his shoulder, stroking her hair and rocking her gently.

ANGELA