10 Things You Didn't Know About American Beauty

Alan Ball’s script is a work of art - however, some of the most iconic and enduring scenes from the movie were kept-in cast ad-libs.

One of the most powerful scenes early in the movie, when Carolyn fails to sell a house, was improvised by Benning. When the open house empties, she draws the curtains and wails, slapping herself about the face, and admonishing herself for her tears. The character’s professional and personal traumas are immediately signposted to the audience.

Similarly, when Carolyn catches Lester smoking weed (prop used: honey tobacco) with teenage neighbour/pot dealer Ricky, Spacey’s stifled giggling was the result of him not being able to keep a straight face when Benning was giving him a dressing down.

Also, as a stoned Lester drives home, Kevin Spacey improvised singing along to The Guess Who’s American Woman, which plays on the car’s radio. It is another subtle scene that shows Lester’s attempts to recapture his youth.

The embracing and success of the actor’s improvisations speaks to the skill and creativity of the cast and crew.