American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Ricky films Jane through the window and follows her reflection after she closes the drapes.

Scene 60 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 36 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 60

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 57
Jane and Angela investigate the noise; Angela spots something outside the window.
Scene 58
Jane and Angela see Ricky's flaming 'JANE' message in the driveway.
Scene 59
Angela imagines Ricky as a dangerous obsessive, while Jane remains intrigued by him.
Scene 60
This scene

60EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

On VIDEO: We're across from Jane's window, looking in. Jane tries to shut the drapes, but Angela won't let her. Irritated, Jane retreats into the room. We ZOOM toward her, even as Angela poses in the window; we're clearly not interested in Angela. The ZOOM continues, searching for Jane, who has disappeared. Finally, we settle on the small make-up MIRROR where we see a REFLECTION of Jane, back at her computer. She's smiling. Then suddenly the DRAPES CLOSE and she's gone.