American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Lester sings along inside the Camry on his way to the fast-food restaurant.

Scene 83 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Lester

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 51 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 83

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.
Scenes 32–75
Lester follows the desire into risky fantasy, exercise and open defiance of Carolyn.
Scene 76
Lester blackmails Brad for severance and quits, committing to a life outside his corporate routine.
Scene 79
Jane asks Ricky to stop filming her, and chooses to walk with him after their earlier school encounter.
Just before
Scene 80
Carolyn's Mercedes parks outside the motel beside Buddy's Jaguar.
Scene 81
Carolyn and Buddy have sex and play out their king-and-queen fantasy.
Scene 82
Lester sings 'American Woman' as he drives through town.
Scene 83
This scene

83INT. TOYOTA CAMRY - CONTINUOUS

Lester is driving, smoking a joint.

LESTER

AMERICAN WOMAN, STAY AWAY FROM

ME... AMERICAN WOMAN, MAMA LET ME

BE... DON'T COME A HANGIN' AROUND

MY DOOR... I DON'T WANT TO SEE

YOUR FACE NO MORE...