@@peacewalkerdf164 Fun fact, everytime they shot that scene Christian Bale would start sweating at the same exact moment. He was fully invested in method acting.
@@AugustoRallo It's highlighting their lack of any real individuality, as spoken of in this video. It demonstrates the extent of their conformity. Creepy right?
@@AugustoRallo Also, they all want to be the Vice President. Meaning they all want to be "The Man" or the one in charge. It's how their egos operate. Are you familiar with the saying, "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians"?
I feel that MOST of the film is real up until the ending killing spree, that has to be a power trip cause the ATM saying "feed me cat", him blowing up a car with a single shot and his lawyer being so nonchalant about it all says to me that the ending is imagery
I think the lawyer was nonchalant about what Patrick tells him at the end because he thinks he met Paul Allen for lunch in London but all of the characters gets each others' names confused so he was talking to a completely different person he mistook for Paul.
Yeah, the ATM and police car blowing up definitely weren't real, which makes you wonder what else wasn't real. I have come to interpret it as it all being in his head, even though I know most don't, including the director.
@@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong there is no ans you don't know what's real what's not I think it what matters is him being a killer in his mind or his life is his true self he is this psycopath inside as he has lost all touch with reality (either in metal illness that he think he is a killer or so out of touch with reality he just kills here and there)
Here's another example of Patrick misunderstanding artwork - the black and white modern art on his wall showing a falling man is upside down. I only realised it after it was mentioned in the book but it's one example of numerous subtle sight gags of the same kind showing Patrick's essential lack of understanding about pretty much everything.
@Paul Miller I think every 20-30 years or so there should be a new american psycho as psychopathy isn't just limited to the yuppies of the 1980's it's also in politicians other kind of buisness people hollywood and in other countries what do you think ?
@@Football__Junkie it was important in the movie, and he killed someone over reservations there, so whether it is a relevant restaurant today doesn't matter
I loved the ending line ‘a world where a psycho is at home’ because whilst it is very true, the exact antithesis can also be applied, as explored at the very end of the film. Bateman’s freedom to get away with murder without recognition also becomes his own personal hell, he even says ‘this confession has meant nothing’ people are so engorged with their materialistic lives and constantly mistaking one person for another that Bateman’s desperate attempts to stand out through his callous actions result to nothing, people continue to live their lives and Bateman proceeds to be yet one and the same among the the rest of the yuppies in this group identity based culture. So yes, he is at home, seemingly free to get away with all of these actions without any sort of consequence, but he’s also trapped in hell, and this is ultimately supported by the sign on the door behind him in the final shot which reads ‘this is not an exit’ - he’s fated to remain a nobody despite his best efforts and trapped in his very own worst nightmare.
It's worth noting that "this is not an exit" is a reference to Jean-Paul Sartre's book "No Exit". In this book, 3 people are trapped in a room which is quickly realized to be "hell". Near the end of the play, they realize that they could leave through a door with similar text above it all along. But they still can't due to their obsession with how the other characters feel about them. I don't think one has to be a genius to realize the parallel. However, the reference specifically being to Sartre and No Exit does seem to add an existentialist undertone to the film. Just like in Sartre's existentialism, the commentary in American Psycho is on the way Capitalism forces conformity and abandonment of common reason. An update of a play like No Exit to 80s Manhattan could reasonably go something like American Psycho. However, I think the real kicker lies in the most famous quote of No Exit, and of Sartre in general. "Hell is other people". This is the ending perfectly summarized in very few words. Everything about Patrick's life is perfect, he makes great money, dates and fucks gorgeous women and is basically the ideal vision of the American male. On top of that, he can fulfill his psychotic desires to his heart's content. As said in the video, the world of American Psycho is a Psychopath's dream come true. However, he's trapped in his personal hell because of the lack of care of the other people around him. They see him as a dork, and just another corporate suit in his professional life. And as for his killings, it doesn't free him from the soullessness of his yuppie life as everyone around him cares more about protecting the value of their properties and where their dinner reservations are. Whether or not he killed those people doesn't really matter, because like Bateman says, "This confession has meant nothing."
I knew when I showed my girlfriend this movie and she loved it that she was the girl for me. She wasn't disgusted or disturbed, she found it hilarious which was awesome. Nice video.
The murder cover up is a good idea & it puts a spin that I never thought of, however I thought it was all in his mind because when Bateman talks to the lawyer in the end it turns out Paul Allen wasn't dead but alive because the lawyer had just talked to him.
@@pecker2-9 I read a comment on that scene in a different video, that the lawyer was making an alibi for Allen, in order to cover-up the murder, hence why he raised his eyebrows.
@@Eyeofthetiger69 . I've looked at a few other reviews on American psycho & I think it might be a 50/50, with him half imagining it, like the cat in the cash point or blowing up the car with a single gun shot, all this is as he spirals downwards into deeper psychosis then the reality is the murder of Paul Allen, stupid as it may sound, & I've seen the film lots of times, I never noticed all the fresh tins of paint in the closet, which I presume is to indicate covering up the blood & smell from the dead body's. Anyhow, any film that makes you think & have different ideas which u can discuss is a rare thing in modern film, maybe the Prestige is the only film I can think of recently that brings up interesting ideas.
I am convinced that Patrick killed a fair number of people over the course of the movie, but I am about 80% sure that Paul Allen was not killed. When Patrick goes on his rampage at the end of the movie (the "FEED ME A STRAY CAT" scene and blowing up the police car), it seems ridiculous and extreme and we can see the confusion on Patrick's face indicating it might just be his imagination. However the murder of the prostitutes is shot from one of their perspectives instead of Patrick's. Perhaps that is a coincidence but the director of the movie directly stated that Patrick indeed killed people but we don't know which ones. My perception is that he killed quite a few lower-class people because he feels they deserve it and he knows he can probably get away with it more easily, but his fantasies about killing Paul Allen might just simply be fantasies and he might doubt his ability to get away with it. Only the detective seems to report him going missing and no one else around the office seems to mention him or care. I believe the third act is intentionally directed the way it was to deceive the audience into questioning everything they believed they saw (kind of like how the minds of many psychopaths work). The real estate agent in the apartment scene is an underrated scene in the movie to me because it is so ambiguous as to what is going on. Perhaps the agent looks at Patrick and ominously says "please leave, and don't cause any trouble..." because she knows bodies were actually stored there and she thinks she's looking at the person who put them there, or perhaps it's just plain strange that a businessman wearing a fumigator mask simply walks into an apartment during a sale and demands to know what happened. I believe this is a movie that raises more questions than it answers and the writers don't even know what really happened because they didn't write a factual account of what really went down. They just wanted you to get a feel of what it's like inside the mind of a psychopath.
+Andrei Andreev - well I can see exactly where you are coming from. Both movies portray a young man capable of incredible violence. Of course A Clockwork Orange has a completely different approach, possible explanation and story, but some of the "story beats" are very similar. I wouldn't be surprised if Kubick's work was an influence here.
I respectfully disagree. CWO is a very straightforward commentary on nihilism and government power run amok. AP is a satirical dark comedy purposely over the top in its portrayal of it's main character. Both are social commentaries but are making very different statements.
They overlap as in having an amoral protagonist but to me the most striking thing in co is the idea that being good isn't as important as being free. The movies ain't very similar besides the evil protagonist
Also, it should not be ignored that AP is likely a dream taking place in Patrick Bateman's head and he didn't actually commit the murders. ACO is really about nihilism and a character who is simply a bad guy. Few people rape & murder. Its sensationalism. The book was better at making its statement.
I can understand the same shelf thing. Broader themes of the movies seem very different to me but having a bad guy as protagonist is somewhat rare and therefore striking. I can't think of a really good example, but if you had 2action movies with a redhead gay protagonist, and those are the only ones, but one is goofy and kinda like crank, while the other is super serious and deals with some deep themes or whatever, the similarity of the protagonist would still be striking though the movies are not actually alike
just watched the movie today. At first, it was much more than meh/ decently good. But when I did more research and started connecting dots/theories/etc. It's insanely beautiful. A fucking master piece.
Its not a patch on the book - you have to read the book to get a true idea of Patrick's fucked up world - plus there are some way over the top gruesome scenes that would be impossible to put in a mainstream movie. His brother Sean, mentioned briefly in the film is in the book and film Less Than Zero in big role.
Patrick Bateman has got to be one of my favourite characters in film. The way he is completely devoid of empathy and actively despises those around him is very interesting, and really brings to life the idea of a man who is a product of that sort of society. Christian Bale's performance was also fantastic and this is his best work in my opinion.
Notice how repeating "moral opinions" has for many people started to substitute being a moral person. To relate it to the beggar scene, there are countless people who will exclaim to care about the poor and suffering, but will not spare a penny when actually confronted with a homeless person. Another example, many people advocate all kinds of freedom, but in their behavior do their absolute best to control others' opinions and behaviors. In these individuals' heads, likely their "moral opinions" are enough to make them a "good person", even though opinions are ultimately meaningless if they are not followed up by action.
The point that he watches porn and horror films with indifference has a strong connection to Ted Bundy. In his last interview, he warned people about pornography. From his point of view, the 1950's horror comics constituted as porn. His name may be a reference to Psycho, but the overall nature of the character has Bundy all over it.
Maybe conforming to society causes some people to go insane? Im also getting references to Erich Fromm who philosophizes that to curb one of humans existential problems; loneliness - you need to be able to connect to people and If you don't, you go insane. And to connect what many people do is to conform and become like everyone else to blend in and be liked. In Batemans case its futile because no matter how much he tries to fit in, he can't be able to connect with people.
Insane people tend to be more empathic than normal people. It's their understanding of the cruel nature of society that drives them insane, largely because they've been on the receiving end of it. Psychopaths such as Bateman shape society because their lack of empathy and amorality allows them to get to the top of business, media and politics which perpetuates this cruelty as an aspirational goal. Bateman is not insane in the proper sense, as he can superficially behave normally, even though he's a deviant in a lot of respects. This isn't possible with psychotic disorders which is what I generally associate with insanity.
@@shiannafoxx i think its more nuanced than that. they seem to be able to lack empathy at will, and to gain that empathy and connection when it suits them. whether to manipulate or to coerce, they seem to be the most caring, to absolutely heartless in a matter of 6 seconds. its even more scary than just lacking empathy, they control their empathy and lack of it.
the person who made the movie said that he was a serial killer, no doubt about it, but near the end at the ATM scene is where his perception of reality went haywire.
Dave WHATEVER - one possibility is that he means: "I will say that, if you need me as a defense attorney" - another cover up and /or misunderstanding. Also: don't forget the confusion with names all the time.
One of the main themes of the book/film (as discussed in this video) is the loss of the individual. It is suggested that everyone is in the same position as the protagonist, being mistaken for other people whilst (probably) mistaking other peoples identities at the same time. In this environment a "psycho" can thrive, even after he has confessed "there is no catharsis". To answer your question, either the lawyer had dinner with someone he though was Bateman, or (another point the book/film makes) he was unable/unwilling to comprehend the idea that someone in Bateman's position was capable of such acts.
Joel Dunsdon - thanks for filling me in on the book. Yep, this confirms my interpretation that it's not a victim who is actually alive and well in London, but the lawyer mistaking identities (and probably doesn't even care).
When you focus on being something you’re not, you zone in on the wrong details because it’s not natural, the smallest details become your life because you must perfect the insignificant parts to make your life significant, when in fact it is not real. The less you focus on being like others, the less thinking you have to do. The details are then richer because, they are authentic.
Very true, and it's important for people to know that they will not be liked by everyone and to not care about what the "naysayers", or "haters", say. I wonder though, how do people maintain their identity when the world we're raised in, the USA in particular, molds us to fit into a predetermined rout of life? The whole: birth, childhood, school, college, work/marry, have children, retire and die? I've always had an aversion to the 9-5 working/middle class expectation we're indoctrinated into following in the k-12 + higher education system, it doesn't encourage self-ownership or creativity. Although I have not read or watched American Psycho, a quote from a real psychopath comes to mind at the state of our nation: "I don't want a nation of thinkers. I want a nation of workers." -John D. Rockefeller I suppose all we can do, to maintain who we are, is to never give up our dreams and always find venues to use our in inherent skills, otherwise, like you said, the smallest details dominate our lives, driving us to misery.
That's a perfect comment! There is one other thing to consider; authenticity is in the eye of the beholder! I truly appreciate certain vibes, and others I just don't, and I con't care if it is authentic or not, all that matters to me is the "taste" of that vibe and what I reflect off of it. So it really depends on ones self - Am I happy with myself? Or am I trying to be something I'm not? .......Bateman was still a twisted killer though, and it is in That way that he is unrelatable.
I had watched the movie before reading the book (granted I didn't know it was based on a book) and I think the movie shows more of what your saying, the book shows more of the madness
im a huge fan of yours all the way from Morocco. And what a weird coincidence, i just rewatched the movie couple of days ago. I hope you keep up the good work
Just saw this film. I think the most eerie scene is when he goes to Paul Allen's apartment and finds that it is completely empty. Devoid of his victims, blood, the nice furniture, etc. That woman was hired by Allen's family after they discovered the bodies. Something about her was utterly terrifying. Like she knew that Patrick was the real killer, or was under the impression that he he helped Paul kill his victims. With all of the wealth that Allen's family had, it's not unreasonable to think they cleaned up that place without anyone noticing. Great movie. Really divulges deep into American society's obsession with narcissism and consumerism.
Yeah just rewatched it and that woman was more terrifying that bateman for me. That scene alone confused me for so many years. Its so insane and just kinda terrifying so terrifying thats its even more hard to believe. The movies such a mind f*** at the end when it all comes together then you just left with that one question. Sorry for the ramble i liked your comment and never thought of it that way but always had that idea.
what i loved about this movie, is they made Patrick unrelatable. You never feel simpathy for him, you feel simpathy for his victims (omg...the prostitute scene was emotionally terrible for me) great video as always!
No person who is able to feel anything and act out anything at all is unrelatable. The difference between you and a psychopath is that you happen to have the love for other people as a part of your interests which drives your actions. You can most definitely relate to Patrick Batemen in the sense that Patrick is desperately striving for his own good, and he do suffer when things aren't going his way, just like we all do.
Mayaa Trinityy I believe you. That's what being veiled by certain ideas can do, it makes one perceive people as an idea of being rather than an actual being. This is also how hate seems to work in general, did you know that a recent study in sweden seemed to show that a majority of sexual offenders felt hate towards women? Hate can only be entertained (as to keep its flame burning) by ideas that separate. Your chances of hurting another being dramatically decreases when the realisation of some level of unity arises. I'm not necessarily saying that it's easy though, many different ideas and emotions are having a war against each other in our heads, we can't expect people to be perfect angels but we need to at least try to understand before we judge. Most criminals aren't psychopaths but even the psychopaths can be understood and therefor also sympathized with on some level.
It is such a genius film. It’s been my favorite since I’ve first seen it. I love all the actors, the soundtrack, the message, the dialogue/writing. The book is amazing as well and I highly recommend.
Perfectly explained, yet maybe some part like the ATM saying "feed me the cat" were his imagination but as you said most of the film was real showing how the self absorbed the world was around Patrick Bateman
I disagree with your answer to "is it all real" Throughout the movie, there are instances where Patrick will say something completely insane, something that should get him tased, shot, or arrested, and people just pretend he said nothing or what he said was normal. For instance there's a scene where girls at a club ask him what he does, and Patrick responds that he's "really into murders and executions", and the girls hear it as "mergers and acquisitions". During the point where his psychosis begins to really boil over, he reads an ATM screen as telling him to feed it a stray cat, which he conveniently picked up before he looked at the screen. There are so many of these inconsistencies, especially with the ending, that I believe what we're seeing and experiencing is what Bateman sees and experiences. The events that take place over the course of the story do all loosely happen, but we're seeing what Patrick interprets them as. Paul Allen goes on a trip to Paris, Bateman hates Paul so he imagines a scenario where he murdered Paul and then set it up to look like he ran off to Paris. Patrick sees a small, helpless kitten during his murder spree during the climax of the movie, and since he's in this destructive state, feels the need to kill the kitten instead. And all of this is borderline stated directly when we see Bateman's secretary poring over his notepad at the end of the movie. This is what we were seeing- elaborate visions of these intrusive thoughts and violent fantasies, sketched out in a furious scramble to try to reduce this lust for violence inside him. That's why, when he confesses to his lawyer during the final scene, no one believes him, because he's begun to mistake his dreams and fantasies for reality.
What if Bateman killed someone who he thought was Paul Allen (just like Pauk mistook him for being Halberstram and Bateman continued to play along, what if the supposed "Paul" was also playing along?) and another thing which points to this theory is when Bateman asked "Paul" how he got the Fischer account, he just says "I could tell you but then I'll have to kill you" which is a meaningless response fitting for the situation when you're asked about someone you're pretending to be but don't really know
Funnily enough, we were watching The Dark Knight in English class (we were supposed to compare it to the novel we read in class, Heart of Darkness), it was weird seeing Christian Bale being a good guy lol
Ok i'm probably overthinking but I noticed Bateman claims to have a penchant for Oliver peoples glasses but doesn't seem to actually need them as they don't have lenses and he is seen in a few scenes reading without them
The most deranged thing that Bateman did, for me, is trip out so much about the other guys' cards. His is obviously the best designed of them all. Silly lad.
Ok but one thing at least you said wrong: The cards were really different, and noticeably too. Business cards are important and if you guys stop for a second at bateman's one you can see a lot of mistakes... misalignments, font size changing at random, spelling errors on the company name... you name it. So there are many differences in the cards
Love the movie as a harsh critique of the 80s yuppie culture, but it is also more than that ....it highlights the perks of being extremely wealthy, while having no understanding of the plight of the lower class....it is a movie which shows how shallow people have become while forsaking humanity. On the other hand, this was a goal of young professionals during this time period. You did a tremendous job of showing the many layers of the film which some of us have missed. Brett Easton had another misconstrued masterpiece. Excellent breakdown. Take care.
The way I took the ending was a basic yuppie individual (sociopath) going progressively insane desiring to kill people but never does because of his fears to step out of line in society
I think it's the opposite, Bateman NEEDS the recognition, the lack of attention slowly drives him insane through out the movie, everytime someone gets more attention than him he gets furious, everytime someone is better than him he goes further, yet his need to fit in has made it so everyone refuses to give it to him, he is a complete nobody, that isn't recognized by anyone, and even if he murders tons of people he still gets no recognition, he can admit it to everyone and scream that he is a murderer yet everyone just ignores him
I like the idea that the reality of the murders are put in question by the confusing ending, even though Bateman probably, I'd say even certainly committed them. It raises the questions, if nobody recognizes or acknowledged your actions, can they really be considered as fully effective or real? Doesn't it take away from their reality? Once I asked this question the final line of the movie finally made sense to me, "my punishment continues to elude me and I gain no deeper knowledge of myself, this confession has meant nothing". If your actions are not recognized by any other, the consequences of these actions will never deploy themselves in your environment and will never have any effect. They might aswell not be real, it makes no difference. I think that's a genius ending.
Great take! I think some murders occurred in real life and Patrick wanted to feel real. He is curious in the beginning and towards the end crimes felt surreal to him. It also showed in one of the last scenes of the movie (and in one of the past chapters of the novel) that Pat screams louder and louder about his actions. Nobody acknowledges him and his actions. His life was completely constructed by society and his father. That’s why he resents his brother who’s more like a irresponsible free-spirit. This leads me to believe that he’s not a psychopath but a schizophrenic who experiences a horrible psychotic episode with dissociation. The novel is kinda cartoony, so I think it’s how Patrick sees the world and other people. He is not sure if it’s reality, so he pushes the boundaries and it’s amusing for him. Later Patrick is not proud of his actions, he acknowledges the horrors of this, but he just wants to see the evidence of his existence and maybe the evidence of reality existence
I also noticed how Bateman contradicts himself when talking to the detective at work. He says he enjoyed Africa Oh Africa, starting it was a laugh riot (which in itself was odd), but when asked if he listened to Huey Lewis, he said their music was too black.
Underated comment, that's the thing that always amazes me most about 80s movies and that would be how people how the races got along and how even average people could afford nice things and you had to be a real screw-up to have nothing . It really shows how far our standard of living has fallen.
the novel is also fantastic - horrifying, gory, uncomfortable. but it somehow takes you in. i read it rapidly, skimming over bateman's monologues about fashion, but all the same it captivates you in its psychopathy and surrealism.
Great analysis, glad you mentioned the business cards having the same number, I had a theory that Batemans frat boy yuppie posse was indicative of multiple personality disorder, ie all differing identities of one person who changes in and out of each role, hence why they all have the same clothes, share barbers, tailors etc and why people often call Bateman by different names, he possibly alternates identities - a text book case of multiple personality disorder.
I have to admit when this movie first came out I wouldn’t see it because of the violence. I recently watched it as part of my research for a role in the musical version of this story by Duncan Sheik. I still haven’t read the book, but probably will after this show closes. We are performing the West Coast premiere of the musical in Santa Barbara, Center Stage Theater, with Out of The Box Theater Company. The music is totally 80s - and there are some covers of classic 80s songs (Hip To Be Square being one of them). You created a time capsule of that era and a fascinating psychological study in education vs. environment. The fact that people are still talking about this book and movie says something about the impact your story has had on pop culture. There are lessons to be learned here.
After reading the book, I've come away interpreting his fantasies of violence as an almost archetypal means of expressing personal autonomy and identity. Particularly when his victims are more often than not directly or indirectly associated with a rejection of the little personal identity he's able to inject into his day to day; vapid and conformist lifestyle.
I gotta go return some videotapes
I like to dissect girls, did you know I'm utterly insane?
I fucking love using that line.
Hey hook me up links
@@bradyking9884 ^^^^
Hey, Paul!
"Look at that soft, off-white coloring...oh my God, it even has a watermark."
Stephen Sunday You are sweating
And that tasteful thickness.
@@peacewalkerdf164 Fun fact, everytime they shot that scene Christian Bale would start sweating at the same exact moment. He was fully invested in method acting.
Funniest line in that entire movie.
Don’t forget it’s subtle thickness
Hey, this is Paul. I’m taking a trip to London for a few days. Meredith, I’ll call you when I get back. Hasta-ah-la-vista, baby!
Evelynn!? Great ass! Goes out with that loser Patrick Bateman, what a dork!
@@patbateman4202 Another Martini Paul?
You like Huey Lewis and the News?
what is this comment section? fking hilarious hahahaha
@@connorfrancis6022 Eh, they're okay..
Hey, he’s a child of divorce, give him a break.
It's not his fault the bank hired crap software engineers. How did they even mess that up? Banks don't even accept cats.
@@robrick9361 hahahaha good one
He is eating people
I see they've omitted the pork loin with lime jello.
hahaha
My favorite lines from the movie has to be,
"How about a Saturday?"
"Next Saturday?"
"Yes!"
"Can't..."
Why?
Hilarious
lolll
Especially the way he drops his smile before quickly turning around when talking to her, found that shit hilarious
Cool it with the anti-semetic remarks
"Don't just look at it; eat it!"
Tommy P Delanuit I hate I know exactly which scene this is from
This movie is full of great lines.
*sabrina.. dont just stare at it eat it!
I mean, if someone lays a spread in front of you...
I'll use this quote next time I cook for friends! 😂
"Don't stare at it,
EAT IT!!💢 🐌
🔪\😬👉 🍚 😨😱😲😭
"Let's see Paul Allen's character study."
He's into that Yale thing, that's pretty much it.
He hangs out at the New York Yacht Club. He doesn’t own a yacht, he just hangs out there.
You guys are obsessed with this movie as I am
He has his own tanning salon,you should look into it
@@kencarson3451 No, Paul has his own tanning bed, as opposed to going to a salon
He's not just a psycho killer/ business man, he's also the Batman. Its genius
Osiris 64 Patrick Batman
he's also newspaper boy
The Batman who kills the Joker.
🤣
Bate Man
Look at that thorough character study...the tasteful length of it...oh my god, it even has credits
*drops phone*
The font though, so middle class, who wants a panini??
Also in the business card scene, they all have the same job title
And how's that important?
strangebrew420 Vice President isn’t just one person in firms like the one he’s in
@@AugustoRallo It's highlighting their lack of any real individuality, as spoken of in this video. It demonstrates the extent of their conformity. Creepy right?
@@AugustoRallo Also, they all want to be the Vice President. Meaning they all want to be "The Man" or the one in charge. It's how their egos operate. Are you familiar with the saying, "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians"?
@@sungold7950 There's also a typo on all cards. They should say mergers and acquisitions, instead of mergers and aquisitions. Even creepier(:
“Is that a raincoat you’re wearing?”
-“Yes It Is!!!
Nick Mattio My favorite scene
I feel that MOST of the film is real up until the ending killing spree, that has to be a power trip cause the ATM saying "feed me cat", him blowing up a car with a single shot and his lawyer being so nonchalant about it all says to me that the ending is imagery
I think the lawyer was nonchalant about what Patrick tells him at the end because he thinks he met Paul Allen for lunch in London but all of the characters gets each others' names confused so he was talking to a completely different person he mistook for Paul.
No
Yeah, the ATM and police car blowing up definitely weren't real, which makes you wonder what else wasn't real. I have come to interpret it as it all being in his head, even though I know most don't, including the director.
@@Captain-Sum.Ting-Wong there is no ans you don't know what's real what's not I think it what matters is him being a killer in his mind or his life is his true self he is this psycopath inside as he has lost all touch with reality (either in metal illness that he think he is a killer or so out of touch with reality he just kills here and there)
The movies supposed to be ambiguous, but I do see your explanation.
Here's another example of Patrick misunderstanding artwork - the black and white modern art on his wall showing a falling man is upside down. I only realised it after it was mentioned in the book but it's one example of numerous subtle sight gags of the same kind showing Patrick's essential lack of understanding about pretty much everything.
Wow-that is perfect-great find!
dude, awesome!!!
Basically a banker wanker.
He was more worried about what it cost rather than the actual piece itself. He even bloats the number in the book when "asked" about it.
It's not that he lacks understanding he just simply doesn't care enough to give it a second thought
Impressive...very nice.
Thanks Pat!
Fancy seeing you here.
lets see paul allens card ...
We go to the same barber , I have a slightly better haircut
Oh my God, it even has a water mark
This film (and book) are as relevant now, as in the 80's.
susan price human behavior will never change
The Book is from 1991
@Paul Miller I think every 20-30 years or so there should be a new american psycho as psychopathy isn't just limited to the yuppies of the 1980's it's also in politicians other kind of buisness people hollywood and in other countries what do you think ?
Paul Miller not all of them are bad, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t rare to find a good one
I think Fight Club is far more relevant in this day and age, but American Psycho does hold up in terms of aimless society.
Lets see Dorsia's character study, given it really is the antagonist of this film
No one goes there anymore
@@Football__Junkie it was important in the movie, and he killed someone over reservations there, so whether it is a relevant restaurant today doesn't matter
@@williamault4160 I'm just telling you what Patrick said
@@Football__Junkie oh my bad, I misunderstood you
That, and the sea urchin cerviche.
I loved the ending line ‘a world where a psycho is at home’ because whilst it is very true, the exact antithesis can also be applied, as explored at the very end of the film. Bateman’s freedom to get away with murder without recognition also becomes his own personal hell, he even says ‘this confession has meant nothing’ people are so engorged with their materialistic lives and constantly mistaking one person for another that Bateman’s desperate attempts to stand out through his callous actions result to nothing, people continue to live their lives and Bateman proceeds to be yet one and the same among the the rest of the yuppies in this group identity based culture. So yes, he is at home, seemingly free to get away with all of these actions without any sort of consequence, but he’s also trapped in hell, and this is ultimately supported by the sign on the door behind him in the final shot which reads ‘this is not an exit’ - he’s fated to remain a nobody despite his best efforts and trapped in his very own worst nightmare.
It's worth noting that "this is not an exit" is a reference to Jean-Paul Sartre's book "No Exit". In this book, 3 people are trapped in a room which is quickly realized to be "hell". Near the end of the play, they realize that they could leave through a door with similar text above it all along. But they still can't due to their obsession with how the other characters feel about them. I don't think one has to be a genius to realize the parallel. However, the reference specifically being to Sartre and No Exit does seem to add an existentialist undertone to the film. Just like in Sartre's existentialism, the commentary in American Psycho is on the way Capitalism forces conformity and abandonment of common reason. An update of a play like No Exit to 80s Manhattan could reasonably go something like American Psycho. However, I think the real kicker lies in the most famous quote of No Exit, and of Sartre in general. "Hell is other people". This is the ending perfectly summarized in very few words. Everything about Patrick's life is perfect, he makes great money, dates and fucks gorgeous women and is basically the ideal vision of the American male. On top of that, he can fulfill his psychotic desires to his heart's content. As said in the video, the world of American Psycho is a Psychopath's dream come true. However, he's trapped in his personal hell because of the lack of care of the other people around him. They see him as a dork, and just another corporate suit in his professional life. And as for his killings, it doesn't free him from the soullessness of his yuppie life as everyone around him cares more about protecting the value of their properties and where their dinner reservations are. Whether or not he killed those people doesn't really matter, because like Bateman says, "This confession has meant nothing."
Let's see Paul Allens card
Mark Kerr the subtle thickness....
Dat watermark tho...
Oh my god
@@randonolso it's subtle off-white colouring , the tasteful thickness
@@seankelly378 IM GONNA COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
I knew when I showed my girlfriend this movie and she loved it that she was the girl for me. She wasn't disgusted or disturbed, she found it hilarious which was awesome. Nice video.
Thanks!
How about you gift her the audio book on itunes and see how far she can last. The movies great, but it's a walk in the park.
That's great man 👍
Wow, that’s awesome! Sounds like a cool girl. On an unrelated note, what’s your girlfriends number?
The Dankest Of The Memelords
Too late, she's mine now
“There’s no discernible difference between the cards”
A graphic designer would disagree
Anyone with a pair of eyes can see the difference! Why must this even be pointed out!? I.... Need to go return some video tapes....
god yes, thank you for pointing it out.
I think what he means is that the content of the cards are all the same, the only difference is on a surface level, it's an aesthetic distinction
@ajalex Get a Gd damn job Alex, you have a negative attitude.
it's a joke
Reminds me of IG models when you talk about "losing value of oneself, but status is everything"
True man they are all thots
@@crazyguyjohn3594 you're including the dudes too, right?
@@ms.bigbooty yes
Look at the Dre Drexler morning routine
Such a bad comparison.
Another great video. That real estate agent scene makes so much more sense it’s the coverup explanation.
Thanks Richard! I'm glad you enjoyed!
The murder cover up is a good idea & it puts a spin that I never thought of, however I thought it was all in his mind because when Bateman talks to the lawyer in the end it turns out Paul Allen wasn't dead but alive because the lawyer had just talked to him.
@@pecker2-9 I read a comment on that scene in a different video, that the lawyer was making an alibi for Allen, in order to cover-up the murder, hence why he raised his eyebrows.
@@Eyeofthetiger69 . I've looked at a few other reviews on American psycho & I think it might be a 50/50, with him half imagining it, like the cat in the cash point or blowing up the car with a single gun shot, all this is as he spirals downwards into deeper psychosis then the reality is the murder of Paul Allen, stupid as it may sound, & I've seen the film lots of times, I never noticed all the fresh tins of paint in the closet, which I presume is to indicate covering up the blood & smell from the dead body's. Anyhow, any film that makes you think & have different ideas which u can discuss is a rare thing in modern film, maybe the Prestige is the only film I can think of recently that brings up interesting ideas.
I am convinced that Patrick killed a fair number of people over the course of the movie, but I am about 80% sure that Paul Allen was not killed. When Patrick goes on his rampage at the end of the movie (the "FEED ME A STRAY CAT" scene and blowing up the police car), it seems ridiculous and extreme and we can see the confusion on Patrick's face indicating it might just be his imagination. However the murder of the prostitutes is shot from one of their perspectives instead of Patrick's. Perhaps that is a coincidence but the director of the movie directly stated that Patrick indeed killed people but we don't know which ones. My perception is that he killed quite a few lower-class people because he feels they deserve it and he knows he can probably get away with it more easily, but his fantasies about killing Paul Allen might just simply be fantasies and he might doubt his ability to get away with it. Only the detective seems to report him going missing and no one else around the office seems to mention him or care.
I believe the third act is intentionally directed the way it was to deceive the audience into questioning everything they believed they saw (kind of like how the minds of many psychopaths work). The real estate agent in the apartment scene is an underrated scene in the movie to me because it is so ambiguous as to what is going on. Perhaps the agent looks at Patrick and ominously says "please leave, and don't cause any trouble..." because she knows bodies were actually stored there and she thinks she's looking at the person who put them there, or perhaps it's just plain strange that a businessman wearing a fumigator mask simply walks into an apartment during a sale and demands to know what happened. I believe this is a movie that raises more questions than it answers and the writers don't even know what really happened because they didn't write a factual account of what really went down. They just wanted you to get a feel of what it's like inside the mind of a psychopath.
This movie is somewhere on the same shelf with Clockwork Orange, not the same - but alike in a way.
+Andrei Andreev - well I can see exactly where you are coming from. Both movies portray a young man capable of incredible violence. Of course A Clockwork Orange has a completely different approach, possible explanation and story, but some of the "story beats" are very similar. I wouldn't be surprised if Kubick's work was an influence here.
I respectfully disagree. CWO is a very straightforward commentary on nihilism and government power run amok. AP is a satirical dark comedy purposely over the top in its portrayal of it's main character. Both are social commentaries but are making very different statements.
They overlap as in having an amoral protagonist but to me the most striking thing in co is the idea that being good isn't as important as being free. The movies ain't very similar besides the evil protagonist
Also, it should not be ignored that AP is likely a dream taking place in Patrick Bateman's head and he didn't actually commit the murders. ACO is really about nihilism and a character who is simply a bad guy. Few people rape & murder. Its sensationalism. The book was better at making its statement.
I can understand the same shelf thing. Broader themes of the movies seem very different to me but having a bad guy as protagonist is somewhat rare and therefore striking. I can't think of a really good example, but if you had 2action movies with a redhead gay protagonist, and those are the only ones, but one is goofy and kinda like crank, while the other is super serious and deals with some deep themes or whatever, the similarity of the protagonist would still be striking though the movies are not actually alike
just watched the movie today. At first, it was much more than meh/ decently good. But when I did more research and started connecting dots/theories/etc. It's insanely beautiful. A fucking master piece.
Its not a patch on the book - you have to read the book to get a true idea of Patrick's fucked up world - plus there are some way over the top gruesome scenes that would be impossible to put in a mainstream movie. His brother Sean, mentioned briefly in the film is in the book and film Less Than Zero in big role.
@@benhampton7594
Would you consider Patrick's world a dystopia?
@@raspberrycrowns9494 We've been living in a dystopian world since the end of the Vietnam War.
@@peachmelba1000 my country literally had nothing to do with the Vietnam War
@@raspberrycrowns9494 I wasn't implying that it (your country) was. How exactly did you get that from my comment?
this is so perfect I watched american psycho last night
I love it when it works out like that!
great movie I enjoy your reviews insights
Patrick Bateman has got to be one of my favourite characters in film. The way he is completely devoid of empathy and actively despises those around him is very interesting, and really brings to life the idea of a man who is a product of that sort of society. Christian Bale's performance was also fantastic and this is his best work in my opinion.
Notice how repeating "moral opinions" has for many people started to substitute being a moral person. To relate it to the beggar scene, there are countless people who will exclaim to care about the poor and suffering, but will not spare a penny when actually confronted with a homeless person. Another example, many people advocate all kinds of freedom, but in their behavior do their absolute best to control others' opinions and behaviors.
In these individuals' heads, likely their "moral opinions" are enough to make them a "good person", even though opinions are ultimately meaningless if they are not followed up by action.
Impressive... very nice.
let's see Paul Allens analysis
Haha perfect
😂
this movie has so many quotable lines
The point that he watches porn and horror films with indifference has a strong connection to Ted Bundy. In his last interview, he warned people about pornography. From his point of view, the 1950's horror comics constituted as porn. His name may be a reference to Psycho, but the overall nature of the character has Bundy all over it.
Such an awesome video!!! I love this movie thanks for shedding some more light on it
Thanks Jared! I'm glad you enjoyed!
Maybe conforming to society causes some people to go insane? Im also getting references to Erich Fromm who philosophizes that to curb one of humans existential problems; loneliness - you need to be able to connect to people and If you don't, you go insane. And to connect what many people do is to conform and become like everyone else to blend in and be liked. In Batemans case its futile because no matter how much he tries to fit in, he can't be able to connect with people.
I can attest to this.
Insane people tend to be more empathic than normal people. It's their understanding of the cruel nature of society that drives them insane, largely because they've been on the receiving end of it. Psychopaths such as Bateman shape society because their lack of empathy and amorality allows them to get to the top of business, media and politics which perpetuates this cruelty as an aspirational goal. Bateman is not insane in the proper sense, as he can superficially behave normally, even though he's a deviant in a lot of respects. This isn't possible with psychotic disorders which is what I generally associate with insanity.
and why can't he connect to anyone? -> he's just crazy. some people are just crazy
@@lambd01d Like you said before, insane people tend to be more empathetic than normal people. Sociopaths are the ones that lack empathy.
@@shiannafoxx i think its more nuanced than that. they seem to be able to lack empathy at will, and to gain that empathy and connection when it suits them. whether to manipulate or to coerce, they seem to be the most caring, to absolutely heartless in a matter of 6 seconds. its even more scary than just lacking empathy, they control their empathy and lack of it.
One of my favorite movies. I have watched a thousand now.
Me as well.
"Is that a rain coat"
"YES IT IS!"
His facial expression was legendary for this line
YES it IS!! ( ^ _ ^ )
Did you see what that ATM said? Some of his actions were definitely imaginary.
feed me a cat
the person who made the movie said that he was a serial killer, no doubt about it, but near the end at the ATM scene is where his perception of reality went haywire.
slatt** That has me 😂
Adrianna Butt Yeah that’s makes sense, tbh it’s quite sad that he never sought help for his urges to kill.
wdym, ive been feeding stray cats to my local ATM machine for years
OH YES! Thank you Jack for listening! Definetely one of my favourite movies ever.
I love it's dark humour.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
"I am trying to listen to the new Robert Palmer tape, but Evelyn, my supposed fiance keeps buzzing in my ear."
THANK YOU! ( 6:18 - 6:26 ) I am so tired of explaining this to people who think the perfect condo is evidence of it all being in his head. Great work.
Why is the lawyer saying he had dinner twice with the supposed dead guy, then?
Dave WHATEVER - one possibility is that he means: "I will say that, if you need me as a defense attorney" - another cover up and /or misunderstanding. Also: don't forget the confusion with names all the time.
One of the main themes of the book/film (as discussed in this video) is the loss of the individual. It is suggested that everyone is in the same position as the protagonist, being mistaken for other people whilst (probably) mistaking other peoples identities at the same time. In this environment a "psycho" can thrive, even after he has confessed "there is no catharsis". To answer your question, either the lawyer had dinner with someone he though was Bateman, or (another point the book/film makes) he was unable/unwilling to comprehend the idea that someone in Bateman's position was capable of such acts.
Joel Dunsdon - thanks for filling me in on the book. Yep, this confirms my interpretation that it's not a victim who is actually alive and well in London, but the lawyer mistaking identities (and probably doesn't even care).
What about the atm asking for a kitten and him just blowing up two police cars
why does this character study feel like a personal attack
Because there is a Bateman in us all
Your complement was sufficient, Luis.
When you focus on being something you’re not, you zone in on the wrong details because it’s not natural, the smallest details become your life because you must perfect the insignificant parts to make your life significant, when in fact it is not real. The less you focus on being like others, the less thinking you have to do. The details are then richer because, they are authentic.
Very true, and it's important for people to know that they will not be liked by everyone and to not care about what the "naysayers", or "haters", say.
I wonder though, how do people maintain their identity when the world we're raised in, the USA in particular, molds us to fit into a predetermined rout of life? The whole: birth, childhood, school, college, work/marry, have children, retire and die? I've always had an aversion to the 9-5 working/middle class expectation we're indoctrinated into following in the k-12 + higher education system, it doesn't encourage self-ownership or creativity.
Although I have not read or watched American Psycho, a quote from a real psychopath comes to mind at the state of our nation: "I don't want a nation of thinkers. I want a nation of workers." -John D. Rockefeller
I suppose all we can do, to maintain who we are, is to never give up our dreams and always find venues to use our in inherent skills, otherwise, like you said, the smallest details dominate our lives, driving us to misery.
Dr. Strangelove very well said. I agree with everything you have to say. That’s pretty rare
That's a perfect comment! There is one other thing to consider; authenticity is in the eye of the beholder! I truly appreciate certain vibes, and others I just don't, and I con't care if it is authentic or not, all that matters to me is the "taste" of that vibe and what I reflect off of it. So it really depends on ones self - Am I happy with myself? Or am I trying to be something I'm not? .......Bateman was still a twisted killer though, and it is in That way that he is unrelatable.
Easily one of the best Bateman character dissections I've watched. Well done. This is one of my all time favourite movies.
An incredible film with not enough exploration into its themes. So thank you.
Ive always loved this film. But i never fully wrapped my head around the ending until now. What a fucking awesome ending. Thanks for the great video!!
I had watched the movie before reading the book (granted I didn't know it was based on a book) and I think the movie shows more of what your saying, the book shows more of the madness
AWESOME Jack, thank you sooooo much!!! We have been waiting for you to do this one, and you did such a great job as usual.
Thanks Bev!
'I've assessed the situation and I'm leaving.'
im a huge fan of yours all the way from Morocco. And what a weird coincidence, i just rewatched the movie couple of days ago. I hope you keep up the good work
Just saw this film.
I think the most eerie scene is when he goes to Paul Allen's apartment and finds that it is completely empty. Devoid of his victims, blood, the nice furniture, etc.
That woman was hired by Allen's family after they discovered the bodies. Something about her was utterly terrifying. Like she knew that Patrick was the real killer, or was under the impression that he he helped Paul kill his victims. With all of the wealth that Allen's family had, it's not unreasonable to think they cleaned up that place without anyone noticing.
Great movie. Really divulges deep into American society's obsession with narcissism and consumerism.
Yeah just rewatched it and that woman was more terrifying that bateman for me. That scene alone confused me for so many years. Its so insane and just kinda terrifying so terrifying thats its even more hard to believe. The movies such a mind f*** at the end when it all comes together then you just left with that one question. Sorry for the ramble i liked your comment and never thought of it that way but always had that idea.
If you take anything away from this video it's... It's hip to be square!!!
what i loved about this movie, is they made Patrick unrelatable. You never feel simpathy for him, you feel simpathy for his victims (omg...the prostitute scene was emotionally terrible for me) great video as always!
No person who is able to feel anything and act out anything at all is unrelatable. The difference between you and a psychopath is that you happen to have the love for other people as a part of your interests which drives your actions. You can most definitely relate to Patrick Batemen in the sense that Patrick is desperately striving for his own good, and he do suffer when things aren't going his way, just like we all do.
I felt no sympathy
Mayaa Trinityy I believe you. That's what being veiled by certain ideas can do, it makes one perceive people as an idea of being rather than an actual being. This is also how hate seems to work in general, did you know that a recent study in sweden seemed to show that a majority of sexual offenders felt hate towards women?
Hate can only be entertained (as to keep its flame burning) by ideas that separate. Your chances of hurting another being dramatically decreases when the realisation of some level of unity arises.
I'm not necessarily saying that it's easy though, many different ideas and emotions are having a war against each other in our heads, we can't expect people to be perfect angels but we need to at least try to understand before we judge. Most criminals aren't psychopaths but even the psychopaths can be understood and therefor also sympathized with on some level.
KazumiShiunsai. *Sympathy
Well the reason I have a obsession with this film was because it reminds me of me never known someone so close a like more then this film
Thank you for covering AP. You're fantastic
Thanks Samuel!
This movie is brilliant. It's a wonderful discussion of a lot of what you mention here, and it's a great satire as well.
Awesome as always, Jack! :D
Thanks Michael!
Impresive, now lets see Paull Allen character study
It is such a genius film. It’s been my favorite since I’ve first seen it. I love all the actors, the soundtrack, the message, the dialogue/writing. The book is amazing as well and I highly recommend.
One of the only films and books I’ve never understood...even after watching many videos and articles like this, still love the film
Perfectly explained, yet maybe some part like the ATM saying "feed me the cat" were his imagination but as you said most of the film was real showing how the self absorbed the world was around Patrick Bateman
I disagree with your answer to "is it all real"
Throughout the movie, there are instances where Patrick will say something completely insane, something that should get him tased, shot, or arrested, and people just pretend he said nothing or what he said was normal. For instance there's a scene where girls at a club ask him what he does, and Patrick responds that he's "really into murders and executions", and the girls hear it as "mergers and acquisitions". During the point where his psychosis begins to really boil over, he reads an ATM screen as telling him to feed it a stray cat, which he conveniently picked up before he looked at the screen. There are so many of these inconsistencies, especially with the ending, that I believe what we're seeing and experiencing is what Bateman sees and experiences.
The events that take place over the course of the story do all loosely happen, but we're seeing what Patrick interprets them as. Paul Allen goes on a trip to Paris, Bateman hates Paul so he imagines a scenario where he murdered Paul and then set it up to look like he ran off to Paris. Patrick sees a small, helpless kitten during his murder spree during the climax of the movie, and since he's in this destructive state, feels the need to kill the kitten instead.
And all of this is borderline stated directly when we see Bateman's secretary poring over his notepad at the end of the movie. This is what we were seeing- elaborate visions of these intrusive thoughts and violent fantasies, sketched out in a furious scramble to try to reduce this lust for violence inside him. That's why, when he confesses to his lawyer during the final scene, no one believes him, because he's begun to mistake his dreams and fantasies for reality.
“Because I want, To fit in...”
What if Bateman killed someone who he thought was Paul Allen (just like Pauk mistook him for being Halberstram and Bateman continued to play along, what if the supposed "Paul" was also playing along?) and another thing which points to this theory is when Bateman asked "Paul" how he got the Fischer account, he just says "I could tell you but then I'll have to kill you" which is a meaningless response fitting for the situation when you're asked about someone you're pretending to be but don't really know
Great review, always love your videos. I've always really enjoyed the film.
Thank you!
"Would you like to hear the specials?"
"Not if you want to keep your spleen."
Who else found it funny that his name was bateman and then after a while he's batman
I found the beginning of this video to be a little too New Wave-y but the latter half toward the end of the video really grew into it's own
Funnily enough, we were watching The Dark Knight in English class (we were supposed to compare it to the novel we read in class, Heart of Darkness), it was weird seeing Christian Bale being a good guy lol
Bateman is Bruce Wayne if he went bananas or Owlman but thats canonically his Brother.
Dood I can’t stop thinking about the messages this movie portrays. Great video.
I have to return some video tapes
i’m quite literally obsessed with this movie and i’m really happy that other people are as well
Cool video, you deserve a lot more views. Hope you reach 100k subscribers soon.
Impressive, very nice. Let’s see Paul Allen’s character study
People who idolize him don’t understand the story or his character, but think they’re “sigmas”
An amazing review, honestly your remarks upon image and individuality were interesting.
Love this movie, one of my favorites, the 80s,the suits..i'd never guess that i would by a valentino suit😎
Ok i'm probably overthinking but I noticed Bateman claims to have a penchant for Oliver peoples glasses but doesn't seem to actually need them as they don't have lenses and he is seen in a few scenes reading without them
"is that a raincoat?" " "Yes it is!"
Wow! You have the best explanation for the movie. I've seen other videos but this one is on point.
The most deranged thing that Bateman did, for me, is trip out so much about the other guys' cards. His is obviously the best designed of them all. Silly lad.
Ok but one thing at least you said wrong:
The cards were really different, and noticeably too. Business cards are important and if you guys stop for a second at bateman's one you can see a lot of mistakes... misalignments, font size changing at random, spelling errors on the company name... you name it. So there are many differences in the cards
A great analysis of a great movie.
Love the movie as a harsh critique of the 80s yuppie culture, but it is also more than that ....it highlights the perks of being extremely wealthy, while having no understanding of the plight of the lower class....it is a movie which shows how shallow people have become while forsaking humanity. On the other hand, this was a goal of young professionals during this time period. You did a tremendous job of showing the many layers of the film which some of us have missed. Brett Easton had another misconstrued masterpiece. Excellent breakdown. Take care.
The way I took the ending was a basic yuppie individual (sociopath) going progressively insane desiring to kill people but never does because of his fears to step out of line in society
I think it's the opposite, Bateman NEEDS the recognition, the lack of attention slowly drives him insane through out the movie, everytime someone gets more attention than him he gets furious, everytime someone is better than him he goes further, yet his need to fit in has made it so everyone refuses to give it to him, he is a complete nobody, that isn't recognized by anyone, and even if he murders tons of people he still gets no recognition, he can admit it to everyone and scream that he is a murderer yet everyone just ignores him
I agree 👍
This movie is an all time classic if only for the comedy in it. Great video btw!
Thank you!
Not a scary movie but for sure my favorite scary movie....
I'll let u guys ponder that one
Devon Hayes the book was much much scarier than the movie
I have to return some videos tapes
I watched it last night for the first time and this made me believe that Christan bale could’ve been the joker
Heath Ledger played a kick-ass Joker though
Hear me out though, he'd be an even better two face
I like the idea that the reality of the murders are put in question by the confusing ending, even though Bateman probably, I'd say even certainly committed them.
It raises the questions, if nobody recognizes or acknowledged your actions, can they really be considered as fully effective or real? Doesn't it take away from their reality?
Once I asked this question the final line of the movie finally made sense to me, "my punishment continues to elude me and I gain no deeper knowledge of myself, this confession has meant nothing".
If your actions are not recognized by any other, the consequences of these actions will never deploy themselves in your environment and will never have any effect. They might aswell not be real, it makes no difference. I think that's a genius ending.
Great take! I think some murders occurred in real life and Patrick wanted to feel real. He is curious in the beginning and towards the end crimes felt surreal to him. It also showed in one of the last scenes of the movie (and in one of the past chapters of the novel) that Pat screams louder and louder about his actions. Nobody acknowledges him and his actions. His life was completely constructed by society and his father. That’s why he resents his brother who’s more like a irresponsible free-spirit.
This leads me to believe that he’s not a psychopath but a schizophrenic who experiences a horrible psychotic episode with dissociation.
The novel is kinda cartoony, so I think it’s how Patrick sees the world and other people. He is not sure if it’s reality, so he pushes the boundaries and it’s amusing for him.
Later Patrick is not proud of his actions, he acknowledges the horrors of this, but he just wants to see the evidence of his existence and maybe the evidence of reality existence
Film Analysis : *THE MACHINIST (2004)*
Now let's see Paul Allen's character study.
"Cool it with the anti-semitic remarks."
I also noticed how Bateman contradicts himself when talking to the detective at work. He says he enjoyed Africa Oh Africa, starting it was a laugh riot (which in itself was odd), but when asked if he listened to Huey Lewis, he said their music was too black.
Yuppie Culture = When 25 year olds had real jobs
Underated comment, that's the thing that always amazes me most about 80s movies and that would be how people how the races got along and how even average people could afford nice things and you had to be a real screw-up to have nothing . It really shows how far our standard of living has fallen.
When 25 year olds could GET a real job.
@@TheGuardingDark_ Get a god damn job, Al, You have a negative attitude!
People from wealthy families who go to schools like Harvard & Yale still get these kinds of jobs in their mid twenties. Nothings changed.
@@thesecondRUclips
I go to Yale so I think that's fuckin' sweet ✔
And he loves returning video tapes.
This film had so much potential, but I feel as if it just spiraled down to an "entertainment thriller".
love the movie but you're kinda right, i think it would be totally different if the movie was made now anyway
the novel is also fantastic - horrifying, gory, uncomfortable. but it somehow takes you in. i read it rapidly, skimming over bateman's monologues about fashion, but all the same it captivates you in its psychopathy and surrealism.
Great analysis, glad you mentioned the business cards having the same number, I had a theory that Batemans frat boy yuppie posse was indicative of multiple personality disorder, ie all differing identities of one person who changes in and out of each role, hence why they all have the same clothes, share barbers, tailors etc and why people often call Bateman by different names, he possibly alternates identities - a text book case of multiple personality disorder.
no its about psychopathy bc psychopaths wear masks to fit in. its even in the title lmao
He's like *The Horde* in the movie *Split*. I guess when he starts killing is when he becomes *The Beast*.
I have to admit when this movie first came out I wouldn’t see it because of the violence. I recently watched it as part of my research for a role in the musical version of this story by Duncan Sheik. I still haven’t read the book, but probably will after this show closes. We are performing the West Coast premiere of the musical in Santa Barbara, Center Stage Theater, with Out of The Box Theater Company. The music is totally 80s - and there are some covers of classic 80s songs (Hip To Be Square being one of them). You created a time capsule of that era and a fascinating psychological study in education vs. environment. The fact that people are still talking about this book and movie says something about the impact your story has had on pop culture. There are lessons to be learned here.
Any chance you'll cover Unbreakable some time soon.
Holy crap, nice explanation. Never expected this.
After reading the book, I've come away interpreting his fantasies of violence as an almost archetypal means of expressing personal autonomy and identity. Particularly when his victims are more often than not directly or indirectly associated with a rejection of the little personal identity he's able to inject into his day to day; vapid and conformist lifestyle.
Very Awesome video!!👍👍This video is the best explanation I’ve seen as to the meaning of the title “American Psycho”.