Key Takeaways:
– Christian Bale stole the show in ‘American Psycho’, redefining ‘Psycho’s’ classic character.
– Despite initial career struggles, Bale became an iconic actor in Hollywood.
– Director Mary Harron offers a fresh perspective on the character of Patrick Bateman.
Christian Bale is one name that rings a bell in Hollywood, recognized for his unparalleled talent and charisma on screen. Playing diverse roles that captivate audiences worldwide is Bale’s forte.
The Rocky Start to Bale’s Stardom
Despite being one of the most prolific actors today, Bale didn’t start with a bang. His initial tryst with Hollywood saw him rebelling against the studio system. Yet, he chose to bow to their whims in pursuit of his passion – the art of acting.
The year 2000 marked a turning point in Bale’s career. Director Mary Harron saw raw skill veiled beneath Bale’s calm persona, casting him in her film ‘American Psycho’. Bale’s performance in this movie was extraordinary, solidifying his position in Tinseltown.
The Evolution of Psycho on Screen
Everyone knows Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ as a milestone creation that depicts the psychological turmoil of the protagonist, Norma Bates. Fast forward to the turn of the century, Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner offered a fresh perspective on the psychopath character in ‘American Psycho’.
Instead of retaining Bates’s image as an isolated motel owner, Harron conceived Patrick Bateman, a man that personifies ’80s capitalism. Everywhere in Bateman’s life, you see glimpses of class, status, power and money, yet he seems alienated and anti-social. Quite a contrast to his predecessor Bates, Bateman treads on a similar path of psychological disturbance.
Inside the Mind of Patrick Bateman
Patrick Bateman, portrayed by Bale, is not merely a character, but a symbol. As the director Mary Harron suggests, Bateman is not a flawed creation of a bad childhood background, he is a symptom; he is emblematic.
Bale and Harron frequently discussed how to bring alive Bateman’s character, not considering his psychology but as a collection of impulses and modes. He tries to fit into society, often mimicking human behaviors imperfectly and ending up taking lives.
Caught in the relentless pursuit of social status, Bateman represents the status anxiety that plagues modern-day society. His futile attempts to fit in, understand and reflect human behavior are laughable, yet gravely serious. His disconnection and alienation fuel his sociopathy, making him a classic case of ‘Monkey See, Monkey do’.
The Tragic Irony of ‘American Psycho’
In a climactic twist, Bateman confesses his crimes to his lawyer, only to find out the person he’s confessing to doesn’t exist. This stark revelation makes him question the reality he’s been living, the society he’s been striving to get a foothold in and the identity he’s been trying to establish.
In essence, ‘American Psycho’ is a stinging satire of our modern society, embodied in the character of Bateman, perfectly enacted by none other than Christian Bale. You can watch ‘American Psycho’ streaming on Netflix, as you explore the depths of Bateman’s mind through Bale’s exceptional performance.
