American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Carolyn pitches the living room's dramatic look to a skeptical couple.

Scene 22 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 22

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 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
Carolyn greets prospective buyers outside the listing.
Scene 22
This scene

22INT. SALE HOUSE - FOYER - CONTINUOUS

Smiling, Carolyn leads a man and woman into the living room. They're thirtyish, and they've seen a lot of houses today.

CAROLYN

This living room is very dramatic.

Wait 'til you see the native stone

fireplace!

The man and woman glance around the dark room, unimpressed.

CAROLYN (CONT'D)

A simple cream would really lighten

things up. You could even put in a

skylight.

The woman wrinkles her face, skeptical.

CAROLYN (CONT'D)

Well, why don't we go into the

kitchen?