American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Carolyn greets prospective buyers outside the listing.

Scene 21 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Carolyn

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 12 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 21

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 18
Carolyn arrives at a stale listing and finds Buddy Kane's sold sign beside hers.
Scene 19
Carolyn repeats that she will sell the ugly house today.
Scene 20
Carolyn practices her determined sales smile in the bathroom mirror.
Scene 21
This scene

21EXT. SALE HOUSE - FRONT YARD - LATER

The front door opens to reveal Carolyn, greeting us with the smile she thinks could sell ice to an Eskimo.

CAROLYN

Welcome. I'm Carolyn Burnham!