American Psycho
November 1, 2013
American Psyco The Film I chose to dissect and discuss mise-en-scene is American Psycho. In this movie the protagonist, Patrick Bateman (christian Bale) Leads a double life as a business man and serial killer. He never strikes the audience with any motives for his murders, but he pursues them vigorously. As Bateman continues his secret identity through the film, the anger inside him builds up until he eventually snaps and admits all of his killings to his Lawyer. The lawyer replies with a chuckle and does not even considering the fact that Patrick Bateman could be stone cold killer. Most of the men introduced throughout the film have similar self obsessed qualities to the character, not thinking of anyone but themselves. This action packed black comedy thriller displays tons of mise-en-scene and vividly visual. I found one particular scene that clearly demonstrate miss-en-scene chosen by Director, Mary Harron. In this scene Mr. Bateman has the perfect date planned for his secretary Jean. The shot opens in Bateman's apartment with the two making small talk about his elegant attire and wonderful view, as he offers Jean some sorbet. While he reaches for the ice cream in the freezer, the audience gets a quick glance at a frozen head that seems to be wrapped in a turkey bag. This obviously seems to be the most dominant aspect of the shot, being in the center of the frame and consisting of high-key lighting directly above the head and filling the rest of the shot with Bateman's dark black blazer sleeve. The allusion is given to the audience that Jean is most definitely going to experience a murdered as the foreshadowing frozen head is seen. The the camera angles are mostly back and forth shots of Bateman and Jean from just a few feet away. Here the directer displays strong color symbolism with Jean on the white couch dressed white and Bateman wearing the dark black suit that overpowers the light in the room. This is classic symbolism of black
American Psyco The Film I chose to dissect and discuss mise-en-scene is American Psycho. In this movie the protagonist, Patrick Bateman (christian Bale) Leads a double life as a business man and serial killer. He never strikes the audience with any motives for his murders, but he pursues them vigorously. As Bateman continues his secret identity through the film, the anger inside him builds up until he eventually snaps and admits all of his killings to his Lawyer. The lawyer replies with a chuckle and does not even considering the fact that Patrick Bateman could be stone cold killer. Most of the men introduced throughout the film have similar self obsessed qualities to the character, not thinking of anyone but themselves. This action packed black comedy thriller displays tons of mise-en-scene and vividly visual. I found one particular scene that clearly demonstrate miss-en-scene chosen by Director, Mary Harron. In this scene Mr. Bateman has the perfect date planned for his secretary Jean. The shot opens in Bateman's apartment with the two making small talk about his elegant attire and wonderful view, as he offers Jean some sorbet. While he reaches for the ice cream in the freezer, the audience gets a quick glance at a frozen head that seems to be wrapped in a turkey bag. This obviously seems to be the most dominant aspect of the shot, being in the center of the frame and consisting of high-key lighting directly above the head and filling the rest of the shot with Bateman's dark black blazer sleeve. The allusion is given to the audience that Jean is most definitely going to experience a murdered as the foreshadowing frozen head is seen. The the camera angles are mostly back and forth shots of Bateman and Jean from just a few feet away. Here the directer displays strong color symbolism with Jean on the white couch dressed white and Bateman wearing the dark black suit that overpowers the light in the room. This is classic symbolism of black