American Beauty - End Scene - With Script (linked PDF)

Thomas Newman and Alan Ball are atomic-human-emotion-sledgehammers. My daughter sent me a link to the end scene. I searched out and read the script for this scene — had to share it.

You've got your Sam Mendez, your Alan Ball and your Thomas Newman. Check out how comprehensive Mr. Ball is in his descriptions in this little graphic treatment i designed of the end scene script.

You may download it here: http://db.tt/BzrPtdu 500k, print-res PDF. View in Adobe Reader, Full Screen (PC: control+ L; Mac: command+L)

Enjoy!

This is a great resource for understanding Sam Mendes' directorial concepts and nuances:

American Beauty Summary and Analysis; good reading and revelations galore here: http://is.gd/PHBHU0

This is interesting (from the link):

Sam Mendes' influence on American Beauty by Sam Mendes

The original script for American Beauty was markedly different from the finished product (the shooting script). The script that Alan Ball, the screenwriter, sent to Sam Mendes, the director, began with Jane and Ricky being put on trial for the murder of Lester Burnham. In the original script, Angela testifies against Jane in court, and Colonel Fitts brings in the tape he finds of Jane offering Ricky three thousand dollars to kill her father. The viewers learn that the tape was a joke immediately after Ricky turns off the camera - but one second too late for the defense. Also, the extended shot over the town with Lester's voice-over in the background that begins the shooting script originally included Lester in his pajamas, flying Superman-like over the town and landing in his own bed. Mendes filmed the script almost as written, but afterwards he and editor Tariq Anwar made substantial changes, to the surprise of most of the cast and crew. Mendes cut the trial out entirely, and also eliminated the "Lester-flying" fantasy. He preserved Ricky and Jane's impact on the film by increasing their on-camera time throughout the movie.

But the ending — pure genius. Thank you for dropping by.

Walkfly

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• end scene
• american beauty
• script
• sam mendes alan ball
• thomas newman
• kevin spacey
• endings
• awesome

[walkflydesign]

Hope you saw the designed script. It's hi enough res for color print & framing.

Thanks for your reply!

Walk

[PETE4REALITY]

yes the ending is genius, its a metaphor for emancipation, letting go of your inner garbage... most of us need to...

[pt1gard]

thank you, this was and is an amazing movie, spacey's best! alan ball incredible script!

[mensendike]

Thanks for the upload! I love this ending.