American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Angela tells Jane that Lester is attractive, while Jane resents her interest.

Scene 53 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Jane
Angela

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 34 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 53

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 50
Jane urges Angela upstairs, but Angela insists on greeting Lester.
Scene 51
Angela touches Lester at the refrigerator and he imagines kissing her amid rose petals.
Scene 52
Lester snaps out of the fantasy as Carolyn and Jane arrive, then welcomes Angela to stay over.
Scene 53
This scene

53INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - JANE'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

Angela lays on the bed, in bra and panties, reading a magazine. Jane, in an oversized T shirt, plays a video game on her computer.

JANE

I'm sorry about my dad.

ANGELA

Don't be. I think it's funny.

JANE

Yeah, to you, he's just another guy

who wants to jump your bones. But

to me... he's just too embarrassing

to live.

ANGELA

Your mom's the one who's

embarrassing. What a phony.

Jane glances at Angela, irritated.

ANGELA (CONT'D)

Your dad's actually kind of cute.

JANE

Shut up.