American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Carolyn honks Jane into the car as Lester admits his family sees him as a loser.

Scene 9 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Carolyn
Jane
Lester

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 3 min into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 9

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.

Scene 2
Lester surveys his street and life as an ordinary suburban world he already experiences as death.
Just before
Scene 6
The two Jims calm their barking dog and show their ordered home life.
Scene 7
Carolyn chats with the Jims while Lester watches and recalls when she used to be happy.
Scene 8
Jane studies a plastic-surgery site and her profile as Lester describes her insecurity and his reluctance to lie about her future.
Scene 9
This scene

9EXT. BURNHAM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Carolyn stands next to a platinum-colored MERCEDES-BENZ ML320, reaching in through the drivers' window to blow the HORN again. Jane shuffles out of the house, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

CAROLYN

Jane. Honey. Are you trying to look

unattractive?

JANE

Yes.

CAROLYN

Well, congratulations. You've

succeeded admirably.

Jane gets in the car. Lester hurries out the front door, carrying a BRIEFCASE.

CAROLYN (CONT'D)

Lester, could you make me a little

later, please? Because I'm not

quite late enough.

Lester's briefcase suddenly springs open and his papers spill all over the driveway. He drops to his knees to gather everything.

JANE

Nice going, Dad.

Lester smiles sheepishly, trying to lighten the moment. His POV: Carolyn looks down at us, contemptuous but also bored, as if she gave up expecting anything more long ago.

LESTER (V.O.)

Both my wife and daughter think I'm

this gigantic loser, and... they're

right.