1999
Lester Burnham, a suburban father in a mid-life crisis, fantasizes about his daughter's friend, Angela, while his wife, Carolyn, has an affair and his daughter, Jane, finds connection with the enigmatic Ricky Fitts. Lester quits his job, transforms himself to impress Angela, and grows closer to Ricky, whose strict, homophobic father, Colonel Frank Fitts, becomes increasingly paranoid. The Colonel misinterprets Lester's friendly advances as a sexual proposition and, after discovering Ricky's video tapes, confronts him violently. On the night Ricky and Jane plan to run away, Lester, having found peace after a conversation with Angela, is shot and killed by the Colonel, leaving Carolyn to discover his body and Ricky and Jane to flee.
Save the Cat beat sheet
American Beauty follows Lester Burnham’s midlife crisis as he quits his soul-killing job, becomes infatuated with his daughter’s friend Angela, and rediscovers himself through a friendship with his eccentric neighbor Ricky.
Open full beat sheetLester Burnham is listed as Protagonist. Forty-two-year-old man experiencing a mid-life crisis. In the parsed data, Lester Burnham is connected to 46 scenes, 61 dialogue lines, 65 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
46 scenes / 61 dialogue linesCarolyn Burnham is listed as Lester's wife. Forty-year-old real estate agent obsessed with image and success. In the parsed data, Carolyn Burnham is connected to 37 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
37 scenes / 36 dialogue linesJane Burnham is listed as Lester and Carolyn's daughter. Sixteen-year-old teenager, insecure and angry. In the parsed data, Jane Burnham is connected to 34 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
34 scenes / 29 dialogue linesRicky Fitts is listed as Neighbor. Eighteen-year-old boy, videographer, Zen-like but troubled. In the parsed data, Ricky Fitts is connected to 30 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
30 scenes / 11 dialogue linesAngela Hayes is listed as Jane's friend. Sixteen-year-old aspiring model, beautiful and manipulative. In the parsed data, Angela Hayes is connected to 18 scenes, 26 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
18 scenes / 26 dialogue linesColonel Frank Fitts is listed as Ricky's father. U.S. Marine Corps veteran, strict and homophobic. In the parsed data, Colonel Frank Fitts is connected to 15 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
15 scenes / 8 dialogue linesBarbara Fitts is listed as Ricky's mother. Submissive and detached. In the parsed data, Barbara Fitts is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesBuddy Kane is listed as Real estate agent. Successful, silver-haired real estate agent. In the parsed data, Buddy Kane is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 56.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJim Olmeyer is listed as Neighbor. Gay neighbor, tax attorney. In the parsed data, Jim Olmeyer is connected to 5 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
5 scenes / 11 dialogue linesJim Berkley is listed as Neighbor. Gay neighbor, anesthesiologist. In the parsed data, Jim Berkley is connected to 4 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 7 dialogue linesBrad is listed as Lester's boss. Dapper man in his thirties, efficiency expert. In the parsed data, Brad is connected to 3 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
3 scenes / 6 dialogue linesJane and Ricky discuss Jane's father, Lester, and Ricky offers to kill him.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsLester introduces his neighborhood and his life.
Lester BurnhamLester wakes up and reflects on his life.
Lester BurnhamLester masturbates in the shower.
Lester BurnhamCarolyn gardens while Lester watches from inside.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamThe two Jims interact with their dog.
Jim Olmeyer, Jim BerkleyCarolyn greets Jim #1.
Carolyn Burnham, Jim OlmeyerJane browses the internet.
Jane BurnhamCarolyn and Jane leave for the day.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Jane BurnhamCarolyn drives while Lester sleeps.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Jane BurnhamLester works at his cubicle.
Lester Burnham, BradBrad threatens Lester's job.
Lester Burnham, BradCarolyn and Lester return home.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamThe family eats dinner.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Jane BurnhamLester tries to talk to Jane.
Lester Burnham, Jane BurnhamRicky watches the Burnhams.
Lester Burnham, Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsCarolyn prepares for an open house.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn prepares the house.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn applies makeup.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn greets potential buyers.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn shows the house.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn shows the kitchen.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn shows the bedroom.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn shows the pool.
Carolyn BurnhamCarolyn has a breakdown.
Carolyn BurnhamJane performs at a basketball game.
Jane Burnham, Angela HayesCarolyn and Lester drive to the game.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamThe performance.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Jane Burnham, Angela HayesLester meets Angela.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Jane Burnham, Angela HayesLester dreams of Angela.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Angela HayesAngela and Jane talk in the car.
Jane Burnham, Angela HayesJane returns home.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsJane enters the house.
Jane BurnhamLester calls Angela.
Lester Burnham, Jane Burnham, Angela HayesAngela talks to Jane.
Jane Burnham, Angela HayesRicky watches Jane.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsRicky prepares for breakfast.
Ricky FittsThe Fitts family eats breakfast.
Ricky Fitts, Colonel Frank Fitts, Barbara FittsThe Jims visit the Fitts.
Colonel Frank Fitts, Barbara Fitts, Jim Olmeyer, Jim BerkleyJim #1 and Jim #2 introduce themselves to Colonel Fitts, who is suspicious of their motives.
Jim Olmeyer, Jim Berkley, Colonel Frank FittsThe Colonel expresses his homophobia to Ricky, who placates him.
Colonel Frank Fitts, Ricky FittsAngela and Jane discuss Ricky; Ricky approaches Jane.
Jane Burnham, Angela Hayes, Ricky FittsThe Fitts family watches TV in silence.
Colonel Frank Fitts, Barbara Fitts, Ricky FittsLester and Carolyn attend a real estate function; Lester meets Ricky.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Buddy Kane, Ricky FittsLester and Ricky smoke a joint; Ricky quits his job.
Lester Burnham, Ricky FittsAngela flirts with Lester.
Lester Burnham, Angela Hayes, Jane Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamAngela talks about Lester; Ricky writes Jane's name in fire.
Jane Burnham, Angela HayesLester begins working out.
Lester Burnham, Ricky FittsLester and Carolyn argue about their marriage.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamLester joins the Jims for a run.
Lester Burnham, Jim Olmeyer, Jim BerkleyLester meets the Colonel and buys drugs from Ricky.
Lester Burnham, Colonel Frank Fitts, Ricky FittsCarolyn observes Lester working out in the garage while listening to rock music.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamLester and Carolyn argue about his new lifestyle and smoking habits.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamLester blackmails his boss Brad to secure a severance package.
Lester Burnham, BradLester leaves his job feeling exhilarated.
Lester BurnhamCarolyn meets Buddy Kane for a secret rendezvous.
Carolyn Burnham, Buddy KaneRicky films a dead bird while Jane and Angela watch.
Jane Burnham, Ricky Fitts, Angela HayesCarolyn and Buddy engage in an affair.
Carolyn Burnham, Buddy KaneLester applies for a job at a fast food restaurant.
Lester BurnhamLester interviews with the manager.
Lester BurnhamCarolyn and Buddy discuss their stress and shooting guns.
Carolyn Burnham, Buddy KaneRicky and Jane walk and discuss death.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsRicky introduces Jane to his mother.
Jane Burnham, Ricky Fitts, Barbara FittsRicky shows Jane his father's collection of war memorabilia.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsRicky shows Jane his video of a plastic bag.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsLester announces he quit his job, leading to a violent argument.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Jane BurnhamCarolyn tries to talk to Jane, then slaps her.
Carolyn Burnham, Jane BurnhamJane undresses in her window while Ricky films her.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsThe Colonel beats Ricky after discovering him filming Jane.
Ricky Fitts, Colonel Frank FittsCarolyn practices shooting a gun.
Carolyn BurnhamLester and Carolyn argue about his new car and his attitude.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn BurnhamRicky films Jane in his room.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsJane and Ricky discuss their parents and the possibility of Ricky killing Lester.
Jane Burnham, Ricky FittsLester goes for a morning run.
Lester BurnhamLester and Jane have a tense confrontation about Angela.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Jane BurnhamThe Colonel watches Ricky get ready.
Ricky Fitts, Colonel Frank FittsRicky leaves for school; Lester greets him.
Lester Burnham, Ricky Fitts, Colonel Frank FittsThe Colonel discovers Ricky's tapes.
Lester Burnham, Colonel Frank FittsLester encounters Carolyn and Buddy at the drive-thru.
Lester Burnham, Carolyn Burnham, Buddy KaneCarolyn and Buddy break up.
Carolyn Burnham, Buddy KaneHello, this is Lester Burnham from Media Monthly magazine, I'm calling for Mr. Tamblin, please?... Well, we're all under a deadline here, uh, but you see, there is some basic information about the product launch that isn't even covered in your press release and I... Yeah. Can I ask you a question? Who is Tamblin? Does he exist? 'Cause he doesn't ever seem to come in... Yeah, okay, I'll leave my number... It's 555 0199. Lester Burnham. Thank you!
It's okay. I'm used to guys drooling over me. It started when I was about twelve, I'd go out to dinner with my parents. Every Thursday night, Red Lobster. And every guy there would stare at me when I walked in. And I knew what they were thinking. Just like I knew guys at school thought about me when they jerked off.
Their sycamore? C'mon! A substantial portion of the root structure was on our property. You know that. How can you call it their sycamore? I wouldn't have the heart to just cut down something if it wasn't partially mine, which of course it was.
Jesus. Calm down. Nobody's getting fired yet. That's why we're having everyone write out a job description, mapping out in detail how they contribute. That way, management can assess who's valuable and--
I need a father who's a role model, not some horny geek-boy who's gonna spray his shorts whenever I bring a girlfriend home from school. What a lame-o. Somebody really should put him out of his misery.
So we've finally got new neighbors. You know, if the Lomans had let me represent them, instead of-- "The Real Estate King," that house would never have sat on the market for six months.
Like the time when Mr. Flournoy used the company MasterCard to pay for that hooker, and then she used the card numbers and stayed at the St. Regis for, what was it, like, three months?
But this shit is top of the line. It's called G-13. Genetically engineered by the U.S. Government. Extremely potent. But a completely mellow high, no paranoia.
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