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American Psycho (2001)
Patrick Murders Paul Allen
1:00 pm Sep 27 - by Dan Puzzo – buzz Writer
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American Psycho, the stylish and violent send-up of ‘80s corporate America that put a young Christian Bale on the map, is full of memorable death scenes. However, anyone who assumes that the true focus of the film is the demented serial killer Patrick Bateman (Bale) is greatly mistaken; it’s really a darkly humorous take on the moral bankruptcy that defines many ultra-rich social elitists.
No scene in American Psycho better demonstrates this wily combination of over-the-top violence and satirical humor than the bloody axing of an intoxicated Paul Allen (Jared Leto) by an impeccably dressed Bateman.
As with many great scenes, this really needs to be viewed in the context of the movie to be appreciated since part of what makes it “work” is the fact that it’s such an enormous departure in tone from the rest of the film.
After seeing a brooding Bateman stab his victims with a horrible scowl on his face for most of the movie, it comes as quite a surprise that he would choose to precede his next attack by coasting around his sterile black and white condo giving a hammy spiel on what makes “Hip To Be Square” by Huey Lewis & The News such a great song. Throw in a raincoat and some poorly executed dance moves and you’ve got yourself one of the most hilariously macabre moments ever captured on film. Oh, and if all of this sounds a bit strange… it is.
Sound Off
Last post: Sep. 30, 2009 at 1:12 am
Andy Herren (Andy Herren) said on Sep. 30, 2009 at 1:12 am:
I don't know...this scene is pretty great, but I say the sex scene to "Sussudio" is probably my favorite in the film. While Bateman doesn't murder anyone in the scene, it showcases his extreme coldness and absence from humanity...in a hilarious manner! "Great, great song...personal favorite!"