I love how the opening musical notes have an eerie Angelo
Badalamenti vibe, which gracefully morph into something more playful and
mysterious.
“They don’t have a good bathroom to do coke in.” – Best
introductory character line ever…?
Justin Theroux’s bitchin’ dance moves in the first club
scene.
The flawless production design of Patrick Bateman’s
apartment. It has never been given enough credit.
The take used for the pulling off the mask shot was the
first and only take.
The fact that, at this point in her career, Chloë Sevigny’s
role in the film could arguably be called her tamest yet.
The subtle look of achievement Bateman gives after his “more
important problems than Sri Lanka” speech. It feels like he’s been practicing
that speech in the mirror for weeks, and he finally got to say it aloud.
“I have a lunch appointment at Hubert’s in 15 minutes.” – I
can’t explain it, but the urgency in which Bateman delivers this line has
always cracked me up.
Watch Bateman’s face after he tells “Victoria” that he’ll
call her. It goes from a welcome smile, to a dead cold stare in an instant.
“You know, Courtney, you should take some more lithium or
have a Diet Coke. Some caffeine might get you out of this slump.”
The jump cut of Courtney passing out in the cab, to waking
up in the restaurant.
The rattlesnake sound effect that plays the moment we first
meet Paul Allen.
“Is that a gram?”
Am I the only one who thinks Bateman killing the dog is by
far the most awful kill in the movie?
“I like to dissect girls, did you know I’m utterly insane?”
– Easily my favorite said-but-not-heard line in the film.
The jump cut of Bateman offering Paul another martini, to
Paul hammered in Bateman’s apartment. The jump cuts in this film really are
brilliant.
The way Bateman gasps for breath after axing Paul.
The immense gratification Bateman gets after Detective
Kimball calls his residence “nice, very nice.”
The way Bateman playful splashes water on Christie.
“Ed Gein… maître d’ at Canal Bar?”
The way Kimball’s copy of Huey Lewis and the News reflects
off Bateman’s face.
“Sorry dude, steroids.”
I love the immediate interest Bateman gets when he thinks
he’s asked if he likes murders and executions.
The way Bateman puts salt on his steak without taking his
eyes off Kimball.
This look:
The insane thing Bateman does with his mouth in this shot.
That fact that this scene will be remembered as one of
Christian Bale’s best. Ever.
The never-ending interpretations of this scene. Director
Mary Harron kept it ambiguous on purpose. Co-writer Guinevere Turner wants
people to view it with the understanding that Bateman did kill everyone.
“WHY. NOT. YOU STUPID BASTARD.”
Click here for more lists from And So it Begins, including:
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Top 27 Things I Love About Scream (that no one talks about)
Top 30 Things I Love About Se7en (that no one talks about)
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Top 13 Things I Love About Mulholland Dr. (that no one talks about)
Everything. I love everything. Especially Willem Defoe's face in that shot.
ReplyDeleteHe's such a nut. Glad you like the post :)
Deletevideotapes, the lost medium.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line in the film - "I have to return some video tapes." I laugh each and every time I hear it and can't even say it without breaking into a smile.
ReplyDeleteAlso - Willem Dafoe - A personal fav. Thanks for mentioning him!
Dafoe rocks! And that damn videotapes line is so priceless. Just perfect.
DeleteGreat list for a great film! Makes me want to give it a re-watch soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I can watch this flick on repeat. So, so good.
DeleteI love this movie. Yes, I agree with you that the killing of a dog is the most awful kill ever. I have a dog named Prissy, she's old but still loveable. I don't like seeing dogs get killed.
ReplyDeleteBTW, have you seen the parody that Huey Lewis and Weird Al did a few years ago to promote the film's Blu-Ray release?
I hate when dogs get killed in movies. Ugh, pisses me off.
DeleteI did see that parody and I thought it was brilliant. Really smart shit.
Great post, you have a real eye for the little parts of film that not many people remember.
ReplyDeleteThanks man! I love giving flicks I love a really close inspection.
Deletei've also really loved the way he says "Yes, it is!" after Paul Allen asks him if he's wearing a raincoat. He says it with such joy that it makes almost no sense at all.
ReplyDeleteHell yeah, love the delivery of that line. I'd also love to know what pill he takes before he chops away. I think it says it in the book.
DeleteIt would be so hard to pick something not to love in this movie.....definitely with you on the dog thing. Sometimes I feel bad that I could watch people killed on screen and not flinch but harming an animal really gets to me. Sends my mind right to "Snatch"...Cousin Avi, "Open up the dog." Bullet Tooth Tony: "He's not exactly a tin of baked beans now is he?" Comedic in the case of "Snatch" but so cold and vicious in "American Psycho". Love the note of his quick change of facial expression and, of course, Willem Defoe brings an incredible presence just being on screen.
ReplyDeleteInteresting juxtaposition there between Snatch and American Psycho. I agree, one is for comedic purposes, which lessons how bad it is, but wow, the American Psycho one just kills me. I don't do well with animal deaths in film at all. Gives me a very uneasy feeling.
DeleteI always pick up something new in these posts. I love what you said about Bateman's subtle look of achievement about the Sri Lanka speech. That's perfect. And the Huey Lewis reflection. Never noticed it. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks man! I always appreciate your enthusiasm over these posts. I love that look of accomplishment Bateman gives after that speech. Smug bastard.
DeleteYou picked another great movie to go really deep on. I always loved the way Bateman can speak so intellectually about pop music. It's just a wonderful touch to the character. Another favorite element of mine is the chainsaw kill (depicted under "The insane thing Bateman does with his mouth..." The way we see him timing his drop is beyond perfect. Lastly, I love the fact that one of the major reasons Bale even won the role was because, from what I've read, he was the only actor who realized it is actually a comedy.
ReplyDeleteThanks man! Glad you dig the post. I remember reading that about Bale, that he knew this was a comedy. I remember he was cast, then the studio offered it to DiCaprio behind the director's back. Thankfully Leo passed, and the world got a true idea of what Christian Bale was capable of.
Delete"The way Bateman puts salt on his steak without taking his eyes off Kimball." - YES! This is such a hilarious moment - Bateman keeps rambling, sweating, acting insane and Kimball seems to not notice it at all. Completely absurd, perfect scene for the tone of this film.
ReplyDeleteLOVED this list!
Thanks! So happy that you like that moment too. "Well... I had a shower and some... sorbet." What a fucking nut.
DeleteLoooooooooooove this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteFEED ME A STRAY CAT
ReplyDelete"Whha--whaa--what are you doing?! Don't do thaaaat!"
Delete“I like to dissect girls, did you know I’m utterly insane?” I just loved the way he delivered that line and got no reaction. Because in the milieu where these interchangable yuppies hung out, nobody was ever really listening to each other anyway. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteExactly! I really think that was the point of Ellis' text: the lack of communication this people have for each other.
That was pretty much my understanding of the novel too, among other things, including -- of course -- the extreme triviality of their preoccupations. :-) The scene my daughter and I laughed the hardest over -- I think -- was the one where they were comparing business cards. Bateman goes off the rails because another guy has one that's better quality than his. That novel is such a wonderful, over-the-top satire of the zeitgeist of the 80's.
DeleteThat scene will grow to be universally iconic. I really think that. I love the pride Bateman has in his card. "That's BONE..."
DeleteFantastic post! This movie is crazy in the best way. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks man! This flick is such a blast.
DeleteI'd read the post but I have to return some videotapes.
ReplyDelete"You're... you're inhuman."
Delete"No... I'm in TOUCH with humanity."