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American Beauty

Date: Apr 20 2000

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Plot: Lester (Kevin Spacey) gets tired of his boring life and changes his way of thinking. As he changes his life, the lives of other people around him start to change, too. Sometimes disturbing, AMERICAN BEAUTY shows the real side to suburban life in America. ??
Clip: In this scene, Lester is lifting weights in his garage. Carolyn (Annette Bening) comes in and sees him. She is surprised because he has not exercised for a long time. She is also upset because Lester is smoking marijuana. But, Lester doesn’t care. He is changing his life.

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Carolyn

Lester

Carolyn:  

What the hell do you think you’re doing?

Lester:  Uh-oh. Mom’s mad.

Bench-presses. I’m going to
wail on my
pecs, and then I’m going to do my back.

Carolyn:  I see you’re smoking

pot now. I don’t think smoking illegal substances is a very positive example to set for our daughter.

Lester:  

You’re one to talk. You bloodless,
money-grubbing
freak. *

Carolyn:  Lester! You have such hostility in you!

Lester:  Do you mind? I’m trying to

workout here. Unless you want to
spot me.

Carolyn:  Lester, you will not get away with this. You can be sure of that.

Lester:  That’s what you think.*

 

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Discussion

This is a short conversation, but there’s some good, natural speech in it. It’s funny to see it in the movie because Carolyn is so angry and Lester is so calm. I’ve seen this movie twice now, and I would see it again. I think the first time you see it, it’s a little heavy, but the next time is better because you can understand more of the humor in it. I was also able to catch more of the meanings and really enjoyed it. I’m glad it won the Oscar for best movie. It was my favorite of 1999. See it when you can! From the front row, John

 

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