 American Beauty follows a traditional narrative structure , only deviating with the displaced opening scene of Jane and Ricky from the middle of the story . Although the plot spans one year , the film is narrated by Lester at the moment of his death . Jacqueline Furby says that the plot " occupies [ ... ] no time [ or ] all time " , citing Lester 's claim that life did not flash before his eyes , but that it " stretches on forever like an ocean of time " . Furby argues that a " rhythm of repetition " forms the core of the film 's structure . For example , two scenes have the Burnhams sitting down to an evening meal , shot from the same angle . Each image is broadly similar , with minor differences in object placement and body language that reflect the changed dynamic brought on by Lester 's new @-@ found assertiveness . Another example is the pair of scenes in which Jane and Ricky film each other . Ricky films Jane from his bedroom window as she removes her bra , and the image is reversed later for a similarly " voyeuristic and exhibitionist " scene in which Jane films Ricky at a vulnerable moment . 
 American Beauty <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>follows</mark></a> a traditional narrative structure , only deviating with the displaced opening scene of Jane and Ricky from the middle of the story . Although the plot spans one year , the film is narrated by Lester at the moment of his death . Jacqueline Furby <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>says</mark></a> that the plot " <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>occupies</mark></a> [ ... ] no time [ or ] all time " , citing Lester <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>claim that life did not flash before his eyes , but that it " <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>stretches</mark></a> on forever like an ocean of time " . Furby <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>argues</mark></a> that a " rhythm of repetition " <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>forms</mark></a> the core of the film <a href='null_genetive' title='8'><mark>'s</mark></a>structure . For example , two scenes have the Burnhams sitting down to an evening meal , shot from the same angle . Each image <a href='drop_aux' title='9'><mark>is</mark></a>broadly similar , with minor differences in object placement and body language <a href='null_relcl' title='10'><mark>that</mark></a>reflect the changed dynamic brought on by Lester <a href='null_genetive' title='11'><mark>'s</mark></a>new @-@ found assertiveness . Another example <a href='drop_aux' title='12'><mark>is</mark></a>the pair of scenes in which Jane and Ricky film each other . Ricky <a href='uninflect' title='13'><mark>films</mark></a> Jane from his bedroom window as she <a href='uninflect' title='14'><mark>removes</mark></a> her bra , and the image is reversed later for a similarly " voyeuristic and exhibitionist " scene in which Jane <a href='uninflect' title='15'><mark>films</mark></a> Ricky at a vulnerable moment . 
American Beauty follow a traditional narrative structure , only deviating wid da displaced opening scene of Jane and Ricky from tdamiddle of the story . Although thdalot spans one year , the film is narrated by Lester at the moment of his death . Jacqueline Furby say that the plot " occupy [ ... ] no time [ or ] alll time " , citing Lester  claim dat life did not flash b4 his eyes , but that it " stretch on forever like an ocean of time " . Furby argue that a " rhythm of repetition " form the core of the film  structure . For example , two scenes have the Burnhams sitting down to an evening meal , shot from the same angle . Each image broadly similar , with minor differences in object placement and body language reflect the changed dynamic brought on by Lester  new @-@ found assertiveness . anotha example the pair of scenes in which Jane and Ricky film each other . Ricky film Jane from his bedroom window as she remove her bra , and the image is reversed later fir a similarly " voyeuristic and exhibitionist " scene in which Jane film Ricky at a vulnerable moment .