American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Jane urges Angela upstairs, but Angela insists on greeting Lester.

Scene 50 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Jane
Angela

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 32 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 50

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.
Just before
Scene 47
Ricky introduces himself to Lester at the bar and asks whether he gets high.
Scene 48
Carolyn flatters Buddy and arranges lunch as their attraction becomes mutual.
Scene 49
Lester smokes with Ricky, who quits catering and explains his job is a cover.
Scene 50
This scene

50INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - FAMILY ROOM - LATER

Jane and Angela are watching MTV. We HEAR the back door open.

JANE

Oh, shit. They're home. Quick,

let's go up to my room.

Jane switches off the TV.

ANGELA

I should say hi to your dad.

(off Jane's look)

I don't want to be rude.

She starts toward the kitchen. Jane doesn't like this.