Body image is one of Bateman's biggest concerns. He is completely obsessed with taking care of his body. He over-indulges in exercising, tanning, and self-cleansing. He is fit and muscular to an extent that is beyond normal, and looks like a statue in a museum. This goes along with the idea of the American dream. He has the ability, through wealth, to have the best body he possible can create. He can afford to tan, work out, and use numerous different cleansers. He is able to use "gel cleansers," "honey almond body scrubs," "exfoliating gel scrubs," and an "herb mint facial mask" to name a few. He obsessively wants total control over his body image. This idea of control comes from power, or the idea that with a powerful position comes the ability to have control over things, like one's body. This is rooted in the American ideology of what life in the United States is supposed to be all about.

In the 1950s Capitalism was used as a way to fight Communism during the Cold War. To the American people ownership equaled freedom, and it was a way to display success. As noted by May, "In the five years after World War II, consumer spending increased 60 percent, but the amount spent on household furnishings and appliances rose 240 percent" (May, 147). The concepts of materialism through consumerism are thread through American Psycho, most notably in the character of Bateman. He has expensive suits and home furnishings, and parties with his friends all the time. He seems to have the newest and best items in his household, from the CD player to the stainless steel kitchen appliances. He has a video camera, Sony Walkman, and other items. But one way in which the film satirizes consumerism of America is with the business cards. All the cards appear to be identical, but Bateman is set off with the sight of a card being better than his own. He kills Paul Allen, and almost kills Luis Carruthers, because of their new business cards. The barely noticeable detail makes Bateman feel insignificant, and he must get rid of the person that is making him feel this way. Possessive power is what connects these sequences of the film to consumerist tendencies of America: to have the better car or better refrigerator than one's neighbor. But given the characters and their situation, it's a bunch of measly business cards.

Many times throughout the film Bateman mentions real life serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. The point to be made here is where he's getting his information about society: the television. There is a scene at the end of the film where Bateman and his colleagues are sitting around having a drink and watching Ronald Reagan on the TV. He never seems to read any books or newspapers; the only text he references is Zagat. In the case of his critic-like CD responses, it's difficult to know where they come from, either his head or other critics. This goes back to the preconception of consumerism and the birth of broadcast television in the 1950s. The TV changed the way people got their information. It took a person from an active role of reader to a more passive role of watcher. This also adds to today's constant complaints of how obese Americans are and the general laziness of our society. The easier things are to access, the better for Americans. From this, one would be led to believe that the TV is how Bateman has received his information about serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. In the case of Ted Bundy, "Bundy was already a figure of national notoriety when he carried out his final series of murders in Florida in early 1978, and this status was consolidated by the widespread television of his trial in that state, culminating in his conviction and sentencing in July 1979" (Jenkins, 54). The television became a big influence in how people got their information about serial killers in America, and it gave them star-like personas.

Bateman's relationship to the television is connected with his relationship to videotapes and the video store. With the newfound commercial availability of VHS cassettes in the 1980s, pornography became more accessible to the mass public*. People could watch porn in the privacy of their homes, instead of having to go to an adult theater. In addition to the ease in accessibility is the notable connection between pornography and serial killers in America. "Sexually motivated multiple homicide was a bitter consequence of society's approval of easy access to pornography, increased media violence, and the weakening of community ties, which allowed a killer to procure so many apparently disposable victims" (Jenkins, 124). Many serial killers in America were known to be heavily into pornography.

Previous-1-2-3-4-Next