American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Ricky films Lester's failed attempt to talk with Jane through the greenhouse window.

Scene 16 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 9 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 16

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 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
Lester apologizes to Jane for being unavailable and asks what has happened between them; she resists his attempt to reconnect.
Scene 16
This scene

16EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

On VIDEO: We're looking through GREENHOUSE WINDOWS at Lester and Jane in the kitchen. We can't hear what they're saying, but it's obvious it's not going well. Jane puts her plate in the dishwasher and leaves. We FOLLOW HER out the door, then the camera JERKS back to Lester calling after her.

CLOSE on the face of RICKY FITTS, illuminated by the screen of his DIGICAM as he videotapes. Ricky is eighteen, but his eyes are much older. Beneath his Zen-like tranquility lurks something wounded... and dangerous.

His POV, on VIDEO: Through the kitchen window, we see Lester at the sink, rinsing off his plate, muttering to himself. His head suddenly jerks up and he looks at us, as if he realizes he's being watched.