This Movie is – Unrated
The movie is set in the late 80’s (by the way, I have the Uncut Version, so that’s what I will be talking about). The music, hairstyles and clothing will definitely give you a walk down memory lane (at least it will, if you are as old as I am). It’s all about money, status, looks, clothing and being seen at the right places. The only person the characters care about is themselves; it was the “me” decade after all.
Everyone is shallow and superficial. No one really has any true friends. Often times they will mistake a person for someone else and call them by the wrong name. Conversations will happen where the people involved aren’t even really listening to each other, just pretending to. They also say many politically incorrect things. Having affairs and doing drugs also seems to be the norm. The movie is meant to be a dark, satirical look at this decade.
The main character is Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale). He is completely obsessed with how he looks and fitting in with the other guys he works with. At the beginning of the movie, we hear his narration about his morning routine and see him do some of it. You would think it would take him about two hours to complete it. Plus, I have never seen so many products in my life.
There is a conference room scene that really shows how ridiculous their lives are. A bunch of guys are already there when Paul Allen (Jared Leto) walks in and calls Patrick by someone else’s name. Patrick doesn’t say anything and just goes along with it. After Paul leaves they start comparing their business cards. They all took it so seriously and the really funny thing is they all looked almost the same.
Patrick has a dark secret that no one is aware of. He has a tendency to want to kill people. It could be someone he knows, a prostitute or just some random person he sees on the street. He also seems to enjoy killing them in rather gruesome ways. To sum it up, let’s just say his idea of right and wrong is very different from most people’s. On top of that, his needs seem to be escalating.
Interestingly enough, even though this is about a serial killer, it isn’t very gruesome. You can tell what’s going to happen and see blood (sometimes quite a bit), but the actual act of killing is left to your imagination. Now the sex scenes on the other hand are pretty graphic. There is a three-way that is especially so. Although, it is also quite amusing, instead of paying attention to the girls he is with (except to position them) he is busy admiring himself in the mirror (basically putting on a performance).
Christian is unbelievably amazing as Patrick. He has had other terrific performances before this one, but this is just … Wow. He comes across as a typical yuppie, but then he turns so dark. It is fantastic to watch as he portrays all the different levels of intensity that the character goes through.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Patrick – “I simply am not there.”
Patrick – “I’m trying to listen to the new Robert Palmer tape, but Evelyn, my supposed fiancée, keeps buzzing my ear.”
Evelyn – “You hate the job anyway, I don’t see why you just don’t quit.”
Patrick – “Because I want to fit in.”
Patrick – “I’m on the verge of tears by the time we arrive at Espace since I’m positive we won’t have a decent table, but we do, and relief washes over me in an awesome wave.”
Patrick – “Allen has mistaken me for this dickhead Marcus Halberstram.”
Patrick – “I can’t believe that Bryce prefers Van Patten’s card to mine.”
Patrick – “I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.”
Luis – “Patrick. Is that you?”
Patrick – “No, Luis, it’s not me, you’re mistaken.”
Timothy – “There’s a f*cking milligram of sweetener. I wanna get high off this, not sprinkle it on my f*cking oatmeal.”
Patrick – “But inside doesn’t matter.”
Jan
P.S. Comments are welcomed. Scroll towards the bottom of the page (below the spoiler section) to where it says “Click Here to Make a Comment”. Or on entries from previous days there is a comment box.
Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
The monologue at the beginning while Patrick is getting ready is fantastic. It tells us so much about him and is beautifully shot. Especially when we see his reflection in the glass covering the “Les Mis” poster and when he is peeling the face mask off. The first one is gorgeous and the second one is so haunting.
Although I was sad to see Jared’s character killed off so quickly. It was an amazing scene. I love when Patrick is doing a running commentary about Huey Lewis as he is getting everything set up to kill Paul. Then there is the fact that Paul was so drunk, he was totally oblivious to what was going on around him. It was both very funny and very disturbing at the same time.
His breakdown on the phone as he is confessing all his crimes it amazing. I don’t know how Christian can go to these places, but he is so good at it.
Patrick’s narration at the end, after he realizes that he has gotten away with all the murders, it absolutely chilling.
Tags: 80s, Christian Bale, drugs, dvd, jared leto, movie, review, serial killer, sex
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