American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Lester eavesdrops as Angela says she wants him, then flees before she notices.

Scene 54 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Angela

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 35 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 54

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 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
Angela tells Jane that Lester is attractive, while Jane resents her interest.
Scene 54
This scene

54INT. BURNHAM HOUSE - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Lester, still in his suit, stands outside Jane's room, his ear up against the door. He can't believe what he's hearing.

ANGELA (O.C.)

He is. If he just worked out a

little, he'd be hot.