American Psycho debuted at Sundance where it polarised critics. Bale's performance was widely praised, but many found the film to be hollow and self-indulgent. Which is kind of the point.
On release, audiences were similarly divided. Whilst it made a respectable $15 million in the US (against a $7 million budget), it hardly set the box-office alight.
Instead, it gained a cult fandom normally reserved for Monthy Python movies, as evidenced by when a club in New York took its name from Bateman's favourite eatery Dorisa.
After opening, the comments page for the venue on Time Out New York got spammed by users calling themselves Patrick Bateman, Paul Allen and Donald Kimball: “I refuse to give the maître d’ here head”; “I have an 8.30 rez here Friday. Great! Sea Urchin Ceviche”; “That’s a fine chardonnay you’re not drinking”.
There’s even an 18in Bateman action figure – articulated, armed with accessory and a voice chip (“I have some videos to return”). Isn’t it ironic that a novel/movie about the dangers of consumerism should lead to such crass merchandising?
Ellis is unfazed (“Isn’t that just how it had to be?” he chuckles) although he’s slightly disappointed to report that he hasn’t been accosted by too many horror fanboys (“I wish I had, but I haven’t... Horror fanboys are delightful.”)
Harron remains equally bemused by the film’s continuing popularity with old and new audiences alike. “When they re-released it on DVD, it did even better than the first time,” she tells us.
“Young people who weren’t old enough to see it in cinemas really love it. It has this peculiar lifeforce. If I’m in Starbucks and they see my name on my credit card they start quoting me lines from the movie.”
For more thoughts on American Psycho, what happened next and how Ellis' first meeting with Bale scared him to death, check out the next issue of Total Film Magazine (158), on-sale July 30.
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Comments
BenCh
Jul 22nd 2009, 14:04
"Christ. I'll call you..."
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parker
Jul 23rd 2009, 10:13
one of the greatest movies of all time! Don't just stare at it....eat it!
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PadmanForever
Jul 23rd 2009, 12:33
A nice little feature about one of my favourites. This is the should of thing you should try and get on here as much as possible! But don't wear that outfit again.
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panr235
Jul 23rd 2009, 18:45
Awesome article. This parody music video of American Psycho just came out. Pretty funny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G29d6RDSK1c
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MadLove4Bale
Jul 26th 2009, 6:44
One of Christian's finest performances bar none!!! So gorgeous,so sexy,so hot!!! He became my favorite actor in the world.I became a die hard Balehead,after seeing this movie,and never looked back.I can't figure out for the life of me,why he never got an Oscar nod for this movie,go figure.... One of my favorite quotes from the movie:"You're a f*ckin ugly B*tch!!! I wanna stab you to death,and play around with your blood" My husband said that to me on our wedding night....We'll be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary next June.Ahhhhhhhhh the memories. Word to the wise: Don't ever underestimate the power of "American Psycho"
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