American Beauty

Carolyn: [To Jane walking to vehicle in the morning] Oh, Honey, are you trying to look unattractive? Jane: [In cynical voice] Yes. Carolyn: Congratulations, you've succeeded admirably!

American Beauty (1999 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Brad: [To Lester sitting looking forlorn and far away before his desk] I'm sure you can understand our need to cut corners around here. Lester: Oh, sure. Times are tight, and you gotta free up cash. Gotta spend money to make money. Right? Brad: Exactly. So... [Stands up, ready to usher Lester out] Lester: 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? Brad: [Sits back down] That's unsubstantiated gossip! Lester: That's fifty thousand dollars! That's somebody's salary. That's somebody who's gonna get fired because Craig HAS TO PAY WOMEN TO FUCK HIM! Brad: 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-- Lester: Who's expendable. Brad: It's just business. Lester: I've been writing for this magazine f

American Beauty (1999 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Janes: [Eating at table with parents listening to Bali Ha'i] Mom, do we always have to listen to this elevator music? Carolyn: No. No, we don't. As soon as you've prepared a nutritious yet savory meal that I'm about to eat, you can listen to whatever you like. Lester: [Long pause] So Janie, how was school? Jane: [Suspiciously] It was okay. Lester: Just okay? Jane: No, Dad. It was spec... tac... ular. Lester: [Pause] Well, you want to know how things went at my job today? Now she looks at him as if he's lost his mind. They've hired this efficiency expert, this really friendly guy named Brad, how perfect is that? And he's basically there to make it seem like they're justified in firing somebody, because they couldn't just come right out and say that, could they? No, no, that would be too... honest. And so they've asked us-- [referring to Jane's mockingly indifferent face] you couldn't possibly care any less, could you? Jane: Well, what do you expect? You can't all of a sudden be my best

American Beauty (1999 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Lester Burnham: [Driving to a high school basketball game to watch Jane's dance team performance] Well what makes you so sure she wants us to be there? Did she ask us to come? Carolyn Burnham: Of course not. She doesn't want us to know how important this is to her. But she's been practicing her steps for weeks. Lester Burnham: Well, I'll bet money she's going to resent it, and I'm missing the James Bond marathon on TNT. Carolyn Burnham: Lester, this is important. Now, I'm sensing a real distance growing between you and Jane. Lester Burnham: "Growing?" She hates me. Carolyn Burnham: She's just willful. Lester Burnham: She hates you too.

American Beauty (1999 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jane: [Sitting in vehicle outside residence] I'm sorry my dad was so weird tonight. Angela: 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. Jane: Vomit. Angela: No, I liked it. And I still like it. If people I don't even know look at me and want to fuck me, it means I really have a shot at being a model. Which is great, because there's nothing worse in life than being ordinary. Jane: I really think it'll happen for you. Angela: Oh, I know. Because everything that was meant to happen, does. Eventually.

American Beauty (1999 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Colonel Frank Fitts: [Driving with Ricky, referring to neighbours Jim and Jim jogging by] How come these faggots always have to rub it in your face? How can they be so shameless? Ricky Fitts: That's the whole thing, Dad. They don't feel like it's anything to be ashamed of. Colonel Frank Fitts: [Glancing at Ricky sharply] Well, it is! Ricky Fitts: Yeah, you're right. Colonel Frank Fitts: Don't placate me like I'm your mother, boy. Ricky Fitts: [Sighs, then glances at father] Forgive me, sir, for speaking so bluntly but those fags make me want to puke my fucking guts out. Colonel Frank Fitts: [Cautiously, after a long pause] Well, me too son. Yeah, me too.

American Beauty (1999 film), CC BY-SA 4.0