We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

American Psycho: Film review

essay
The whole doc is available only for registered users

A limited time offer! Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed

Order Now

Set in the late asses, he is of a time when style reigns supreme over substance, obsessed with his physical beauty, getting into he trendiest restaurants, and nitpicking with his coworkers about who has the best business cards. Said co-workers Oared Let, Matt Ross, Justine Thereto, and Josh Lucas), all have the same haircut and business suits, and for all intents and purposes are interchangeable. Batsman’s sex life isn’t exactly lacking, by any means. He’s engaged to the shallow Evelyn Williams (Reese Weatherperson), but cheats on her with her best friend Courtney (Shanty Mathis).

He picks up a hooker off the street (Car Seymour) and gets her in a threesome with another en of his friends, Elizabeth (Guinevere Turner, who co-wrote the script). His secretary Jean (Chloe Sieving) also secretly lusts after him. Little does she know that he seems to have knocked off his best friend Paul Allen (Let), a nameless homeless man, and countless members of the fairer sex, all by increasingly imaginative killing methods (staple gun, chainsaw, ATM machine he tries it all).

Eventually he finds he’s being trailed by detective Kimball (Willed Defoe), who’s investing Allen’s disappearance but also seems to know a bit more about Patrick than he should. From this moment on Batsman’s inner demons are unleashed as he descends into an unending frenzy of paranoia and murder. As if we needed proof that too much Phil Collins and Hue Lewis can lead to a homicidal rampage, here comes American Psycho to ice pick the point home. Some of the funniest scenes depict Batsman’s attempts at foreplay: the dissection of songs he considers classic.

Such songs include Genesis’ “In Too Deep,” Strain And The Waves’ “Walking On Sunshine,” Whitney Houston “The Greatest Love Of All,” and Hue Lewis And The News’ “Hip To Be Square. ” His interpretation of “The Greatest Love Of All” is especially hilarious. At the end of the story, Bateman confronts Cares about the message he left on his machine, only to find the attorney amused at what he considers a hilarious joke. Cares tells Bateman that he is too much of a coward to have committed such acts.

In the dialogue-laden climax, Cares stands up to a defiant Bateman and tells him his claim of having murdered Owen is impossible, because he had dinner in London with him a few days before, not once but twice. Ill. Description of the character Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), the son of a wealthy Wall Street financier, s pursuing his own lucrative career with his father’s firm. Bateman is the prototypical yuppie, obsessed with success, fashion, and style.

Bateman describes the material accoutrements of his lifestyle: his daily morning exercise and beautification routine; his music collection, including performers such as Hue Lewis and the News and Whitney Houston; his taste for expensive designer clothes; and the lavish couture of his apartment.. He is also a serial killer who murders, rapes, and mutilates both strangers and acquaintances without provocation or reason. What disorder have you diagnosed from the character?

Dissociation identity disorder Bateman experiences two distinct personality; being a calm professional and being a serial killer. Narcissistic personality disorder Bateman believes that he is the superior over his friends and colleagues. Bipolar disorder Bateman experiences mood swings from being nice and suddenly killed other person. Obsessive compulsive disorder (COD) Bateman obsessed with his physical appearance, you’ll see it when he’s doing his every morning routine. What are the symptoms of disorder?

Ritualistic behavior Mood swings Feeling of inadequate Angry Outburst Hypersensitivity to criticism Aggressive, often violent behavior What trigger the change in the character? Guess the main reason why his psychotic side outburst is because of envy. Envy to his coworkers who is more superior to him. He is greedy; he doesn’t like anyone to be more successful than him. He always wants to be on top. He became frustrated when someone is superior to him that’s why he ends up killing those people. IV. Diagnosis Cause of the characters sickness/disorder?

His disorder behavior is learned through both positive and negative reinforcement like for example when his coworker is higher to him he will kill him o be on top. It doesn’t matter if he commits murder for as long as he feels he’s the best. Or maybe he grows in an environment that is actually dangerous where there is too much violence in the family or community. I do believe that environmental factors really affect one’s behavior. Another one is his mood disorder causes functional imbalance of chemicals such as serotonin, morphogenesis, and dopamine.

Maybe those chemicals are not functioning that’s why he doesn’t feel any emotions when doing the crime. V. Treatment Was the character aware of his disorder? Maybe at first he is in denial, he pretends to be normal. But then before the story ends the scene when he calls he’s lawyer to confess is a proof that he knows he has done something ridiculous. Did the character seek any professional help? No, because nobody knows his true condition. Many see him as a great Patrick Bateman; rich, handsome, professional and firm.

If the character was your friend, how will you help him get over his disorder? If I were his friend maybe I would let his family know his condition and then convince him to consult a psychiatrist or any medical professional to help him cure his disorder. I would let him know that he is not alone, that no matter what happens there will always be someone who can understand him. VI. Film Analysis Linear type of story is used in the movie; it’s told from beginning and ends it chronologically.

Maybe the director uses that for better understanding of the viewer. I guess the film is specially stylized because the horrible scene is impossible to happen in real life without the knowledge of the people around you. The costumes and make-up of the characters are great! They really look professionals. It suit to their different personality. There are many music played n the movie especially when Bateman plans to kill someone maybe because to divert the attention of his victim.

I guess they use that music for us to remember the movie; the important scene in the movie while hearing those songs in the future. For me the movie does not showcase the disorder clearly because they did not include what is the root of his evil doings. I were given a chance to change anything in the film, I would really consider the cause of the disorder for the benefit of the viewer. For them to be aware that something is not normal. And I would also add scenes with his family and his childhood experiences.

Related Topics

We can write a custom essay

According to Your Specific Requirements

Order an essay
icon
300+
Materials Daily
icon
100,000+ Subjects
2000+ Topics
icon
Free Plagiarism
Checker
icon
All Materials
are Cataloged Well

Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email.

By clicking "SEND", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.
Sorry, but only registered users have full access

How about getting this access
immediately?

Your Answer Is Very Helpful For Us
Thank You A Lot!

logo

Emma Taylor

online

Hi there!
Would you like to get such a paper?
How about getting a customized one?

Can't find What you were Looking for?

Get access to our huge, continuously updated knowledge base

The next update will be in:
14 : 59 : 59