American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Ricky looks out from his room and spots Lester searching the garage shelves.

Scene 61 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 61

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 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
Ricky films Jane through the window and follows her reflection after she closes the drapes.
Scene 61
This scene

61INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Ricky sits in darkness with his DIGICAM, videotaping. He lowers the camera and smiles... then something below catches his attention. He leans out the window to get a better look at: