Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Honest Americans

Today I came across this link - an article on American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis - inventor of perhaps one of the top 10 iconic characters in modern literature and film. Who doesn't know Christian Bale as the Manhattan based Patrick Bateman, and who can't help but love him (especially the taste in music?). There is something about the character that plays on all our desires; who doesn't despise certain aspects of our culture and how satisfying (albeit offensive and most likely illegal) would it be if we actually played out all our negative thoughts? What is interesting about this article is that Ellis acknowledges the similarities (seemingly historic) between his then self and Bateman. So similar to Kevin Spacey in American Beauty, perhaps my most adored character, the role evolves out of a reclusive tendency, and a desire to be accepted - however this desire in turn creates everyones favourite arsehole. If only it was socially acceptable to voice exactly what we thought all the time, and if only everyone was too self-absorbed - as the characters in American Psycho - to listen to what was actually said. Perfect. I think I have just come across the key for "world peace".

No comments:

Post a Comment