last paper : )

In April of 2000, the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel American Psycho was released. Although the film and novel relate the identical story of high society serial killer Patrick Bateman, the satirical thriller was released to critical acclaim, much unlike the novel, which was thought to be too graphic and overtly sexual. Although the film was released in 2000 it takes place in the 1980’s, an era of economic surplus and decadence. While on the surface the film is about the violent exploits of its main character, investment banker Patrick Bateman; Bateman’s behavior in actuality serve as a lens in which we can view the problems inherent within a consumer oriented society. Indeed, in his article for the New York Times entitled Digging Out the Humor in a Serial Killer's Tale Bruce Weber explains, “The humor being aimed for -- a swipe at the blind narcissism of the youthful privileged class during the Reagan 80's.”
Working as an investment banker, a job he knows little about, for his father’s company, Bateman embodies his role as one of the privileged elite. In a conversation with his fiancé Evelyn, a woman with whom he shares no love, the audience learns that Bateman does not actually need this job but simply continues to work there in order to fit in. In an age of growing consumerism the phenomenon of keeping up with the Jones’ began to pervade American society causing Patrick to go to extreme lengths to fit in with his friends, a self-involved apathetic group who often get Patrick confused with other characters. Indeed, Patrick lacks any real connection with any of the other characters in the movie. His conversations are empty. Patrick consistently name drops designers in an attempt to exemplify his economic prowess. Bateman only speaks of what he knows is socially acceptable as David Robinson notes, “Bateman and his Wall Street set are unmitigated consumers and speak in appropriately informed language about specific products, ranging from herb mint facial masks to Valentino Couture suits. Bateman is particularly capable of parroting the language of marketing. ("Courtney, you're going to have the peanut butter soup with smoked duck and mashed squash. New York Matinee called it 'a playful but mysterious little dish.'")” Every word Bateman says is specifically chosen in order to heighten his high-society image. Indeed, in the opening sequence of the movie Bateman says of himself, “There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. 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.” It is clear through Bateman’s character that consumerism has the power to stifle individuality. In keeping up with the Jones’ Bateman has lost all sense of individuality and taken up a false identity.
Lacking any sense of a real entity due to the intense consumerism in which he is affronted with on a daily basis, Patrick Bateman becomes increasingly desensitized to the emotions of others and reality in itself. Bateman’s desensitization coupled with his overwhelming desire to fit in spawned the violence in which Patrick continuously partakes. The need to fit in, which all the characters in the movie feel, creates a complex web of power struggles. For Bateman, something so trivial as a colleague’s superior business card spawns a murderous rage within. Only through a murderous rampage can Bateman feel powerful, a power he felt was slipping through his fingers due to the perceived superiority of his friends.
Despite the frequency with which Bateman commits these violent murders, and the graphic nature of the crimes Bateman is able to escape any sort of consequences for his actions, even upon confession. When Bateman is spotted with an overnight bag containing the body of his colleague Paul Allen by a friend, his friend is able to see passed the blood soaked bag and notice only the fine craftsmanship and high price tag of Patrick’s bag, immediately asking who makes it. The ignorance of Bateman’s friends to his crimes suggests a frightening reprioritizing of values by American society as well as an inability to listen, understand and see past the bright lights of consumerism. At one point when Patrick is asked what he does, his response of “Murders and Executions” is mistaken for “Mergers and Acquisitions,” showing yet another example of a failure to listen on the part of the successful young American’s Patrick surrounds himself with. Indeed, those around Bateman are only concerned about themselves and their own image. Further leading to Bateman’s sense of helplessness.