American Beauty tells the story of one man's search for happiness. The film introduces the
             audience to Lester Burnham, an ordinary- looking married man and father in his forties. Lester is
             in a loveless marriage. Lester's wife, Carolyn, is so wrapped-up in her real estate career that Lester
             often claims that Carolyn doesn't even acknowledge him. Furthermore, Lester's daughter, Jane, is
             completely distant, often claiming how "pathetic" she thinks her father is. Moreover, Lester has
             dedicated fourteen years to his occupation, and suddenly, he is in danger of losing his job due to
             downsizing. All of these factors dramatically effect Lester and culminate into feelings of
             desperation and vulnerability for him. Lester is therefore in search of an escape and a rebirth. He is
             seeking the slightest possibility of happiness. Throughout the story Lester is consistently
             reminiscing on his past; wishing he could have it back. In the beginning portions of the story,
             Lester, as the narrator, states that "it is never too late to regain your past." The catalyst to this frame
             of thought is Jane's friend, Angela. Lester feels excited by the thought that a teen-age girl thinks he
             is "hot." Lester overhears Angela state that she would have sex with him if Lester would start
             working-out and build-up his body. This drives Lester to change himself completely. Lester, in
             desperate search of happiness , finds an escape in Angela. Much like a hormone-driven teenage
             boy, Lester thinks that if he can "score" with a "bombshell" like Angela, then he will be reborn.
             Lester's mission for happiness and escape is further perpetuated by his eighteen year old neighbor,
             Ricky. In Ricky, Lester sees his model f...