Film
duologue
Comedy-Drama
2 Characters

Lester and Carolyn's Garage Confrontation

from American Beauty

Written by Alan Ball

American Beauty

Lester Burnham's mid-life crisis reaches a boiling point as his wife Carolyn finds him smoking marijuana and lifting weights in the garage. The scene highlights the total breakdown of their marriage and Lester's newfound defiance against Carolyn's materialistic values.

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CAROLYN: What the hell do you think you're doing?

LESTER: Bench presses. I'm going to wail on my pecs, and then I'm going to do my back.

CAROLYN: You're smoking pot now? That's a fine example to set for our daughter.

LESTER: You're one to talk, you bloodless, money-grubbing freak.

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WriterAlan Ball
CharactersLester, Carolyn
Duration2 min
Age Range35-45
GenderAny
GenreComedy-Drama
PeriodContemporary
Formatduologue
SourceAmerican Beauty
Tonedark
AccentStandard American
Suitable Foragent showcase, self tape, general practice
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