American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Lester apologizes to Jane for being unavailable and asks what has happened between them; she resists his attempt to reconnect.

Scene 15 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Lester
Jane

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 9 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 15

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.
Just before
Scene 12
Brad asks Lester to write a detailed job description for management review after hinting at budget cuts; Lester calls the process a hunt for expendable staff.
Scene 13
The Burnhams watch movers enter the house next door while Carolyn and Lester argue about a tree.
Scene 14
The family eats in silence until Lester asks about Jane's cheer squad.
Scene 15
This scene

15INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Jane stands at the sink, rinsing off her plate. Lester enters.

LESTER

Honey, I'm sorry. I...

Jane turns and stares at him, waiting for him to finish.

LESTER (CONT'D)

I'm sorry I haven't been more

available, I just... I'm...

He's looking to her for a little help here, but she's too uncomfortable with this sudden intimacy to give him any.

LESTER (CONT'D)

(finally)

You know, you don't always have to

wait for me to come to you...

JANE

Oh, great. So now it's my fault?

LESTER

I didn't say that. It's nobody's

fault. Janie, what happened? You

and I used to be pals.