American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

Jane waves to Ricky and begins undressing at her window as he films her.

Scene 93 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:01 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 93

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.
Scenes 76–90
Lester quits and takes a fast-food job while Jane and Ricky begin connecting in parallel.
Just before
Scene 90
Ricky plays Jane his film of a windblown plastic bag and explains the beauty that made him feel safe.
Scene 91
At dinner Lester announces his new job, provokes Carolyn and smashes an asparagus plate before changing their dinner music.
Scene 92
Carolyn tries to teach Jane self-reliance, then slaps her when Jane rejects the sentiment.
Scene 93
This scene

93EXT. FITTS HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

Jane's POV: We're across from Ricky's room, looking in. He stands at the window with his DIGICAM, videotaping us. On the WIDE-SCREEN TV behind him, we see Jane standing in her window as she looks across at him. She waves. Ricky just keeps videotaping. A beat, then she starts to take off her shirt.