American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Lester promises that the listener will someday understand as the camera rises above Robin Hood Trail.

Scene 163 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Last scene of act three

Save the Cat: Final Image
Lester

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:36 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 163

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.
Scenes 129–146
As the conflicts converge at home, Lester returns to human connection by treating Angela with tenderness.
Just before
Scene 160
Carolyn hides the Glock, then clutches Lester's clothes and cries on the bedroom floor.
Scene 161
Young Carolyn laughs on a spinning teacup ride as Lester remembers her with love.
Scene 162
Ricky's plastic-bag video plays while Lester says the world's beauty fills him with gratitude.
Scene 163
This scene

163EXT. - ROBIN HOOD TRAIL - DAY

We're FLYING once again over Robin Hood Trail, ASCENDING SLOWLY.

LESTER (V.O.)

...and then I remember to relax,

and stop trying to hold on to it,

and then it flows through me like

rain and I can't feel anything but

gratitude for every single moment

of my stupid little life...

(amused)

You have no idea what I'm talking

about, I'm sure. But don't worry...

FADE TO BLACK.

LESTER (V.O.) (CONT'D)

You will someday.

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