And though I can hide my cold gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable, I simply am not there.
Guinevere Turner, the writer, has said it before in a 2015 interview with Dazed, “I very much think American Psycho is a feminist film”. She continued, “It’s a satire about how men compete with each other and how in this hyper-real universe we created, women are even less important than your tan or your suit or where you summer. And to me, even though the women are all sort of tragic and killed, it’s about how men perceive and treat them”
Based on a novel in 1991 written by Bret Easton Ellis. Directed by a female director, Mary Harron. Screenplay was written by two women, Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner. Stars are Christian Bale (Patrick Bateman), Willem Dafoe (Detective Donald Kimball), Jared Leto (Paul Allen), Reese Witherspoon (Evelyn Williams), Josh Lucas (Craig McDermott) and Justin Theroux (Timothy Bryce).
The production of the film has gone through obstacles. From different directors to different actors. Mary Harron was confirmed to write and direct with Bale as the protagonist, Patrick Bateman. After few disagreements, Harron left and Lionsgate chose Oliver Stone to direct and Stone chose Leonardo DiCaprio as the main star. After budget troubles, Stone left, DiCaprio left for another movie, Harron and Bale returned.
Ironic how in the earlier scenes, Bateman was so calm in the morning. He believes in taking care of himself, having a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. From body cleansing wash to body scrubs and peel-off facial masks. He went from a normal person to a psycho who would kill anyone who annoys him or anytime he’s competitive with a person.
All of the killings are either real or just fantasies. The point of the killings is to showcase how a man turns into when they’re in a rage. Face facts, we’ve seen how a man’s like when they’re angry: road traffic, or when the team they support for lose a game, not forgetting domestic violence in marriage. I won’t deny that there are also women who have a rage.I’m sure there are men out there who are sane enough, calm and civil. But I’m talking about those with an uncontrollable rage.
In one scene, a group of businessmen were comparing their business cards. Comparing everything from the fonts, engraving, finishing touch, the wording, even the thickness of the paper. Like measuring dicks. This goes to show that their envy and greed are reaching on such ridiculous levels. They’re mostly competitive on their business cards, clothing material, the amount of salary they’re paid, the size of their office, even their ability to book tables in a high-end restaurant.
In another scene, Bateman was preaching his views about equal rights for women, how he cared for the homeless. Then changed them when he’s with his misogynistic friends like “There are no girls with good personalities” or “Ugly chicks” and laughs about what a woman’s head would look like on a stick.
Compliments to Christian Bale for his performance. He performed his role as Patrick Bateman so terrifyingly good that it scares me. You see, Patrick Bateman would kill anyone or anything, anytime he wants. He turned killing into a hobby. Patrick Bateman is crazier than Joker. I guess he was a pretty sick guy. Now, if you’ll excuse him, he’s gotta return some tapes.
RATING: 7/10
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