American Psycho Page #2

Synopsis: In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night. The cast is filled by the detective (Willem Dafoe), the fiance (Reese Witherspoon), the mistress (Samantha Mathis), the coworker (Jared Leto), and the secretary (Chloë Sevigny). This is a biting, wry comedy examining the elements that make a man a monster.
Original Story by: Bret Easton Ellis
Year:
2000
2,646 Views


Bateman stands in front of a massive marble sink applying a gel facial masque.

BATEMAN (V.O.):

Then I apply an herb mint facial masque which I leave on for ten minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine.

Bateman opens the door of a mirrored cabinet, which is stocked with immaculate rows of skin care products. He begins selecting bottles jars and brushes, laying them in readiness on the marble counter.

BATEMAN (V.O.):

I always use an after-shave lotion with little or no alcohol because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm, followed by a final moisturizing "protective" lotion...

Bateman stares into the mirror. The masque has dried, giving his face a strange distorted look as if it has been wrapped in plastic. He begins slowly peeling the gel masque off his face.

BATEMAN (V.O.):

There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman, some kind of abstraction, but there is no real me, only an entity, something illusory, and though I can hide my cold gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping you and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable: I simply am not there.

INT. OFFICES OF PIERCE & PIERCE - DAY

As Bateman walks down the corridor, he passes another MAN who looks just like him.

MAN:

Morning, Hamilton. Nice tan.

Bateman walks past the desk of JEAN, his secretary, pulling his Walkman from around his neck. Jean is attractive, wholesome, earnest. She smiles shyly. She loves him.

JEAN:

Late?

BATEMAN:

Aerobics class. Sorry. Any messages?

JEAN:

Ricky Harrison has to cancel today. He didn't say what he was canceling or why.

BATEMAN:

I occasionally box with Ricky at the Harvard Club. Anyone else?

JEAN:

Spencer wants to meet you for a drink at Fluties Pier 17.

BATEMAN:

When?

JEAN:

After six.

BATEMAN:

Negative. Cancel it.

JEAN:

And what should I say?

BATEMAN:

Just...say...no.

JEAN:

Just say no?

Jean stands at his desk, waiting for instructions.

BATEMAN:

Okay, Jean. I need reservations for three at Camols at twelve-thirty, and if not there, try Crayons. All right?

JEAN:

Yes, sir.

She turns to leave.

BATEMAN:

Oh wait. And I need reservations for two at Arcadia at 8:00 on Thursday.

Jean turns around.

JEAN:

Something...romantic?

BATEMAN:

No...silly. Forget it, I'll make them.

JEAN:

No, I'll do it.

BATEMAN:

No, No. Be a doll and just get me a mineral water, okay?

JEAN:

You look nice today.

BATEMAN:

Don't wear that outfit again.

JEAN:

What? I didn't hear you.

BATEMAN:

I said, "Do not wear that outfit again." Wear a dress, a skirt or something.

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Bret Easton Ellis

Bret Easton Ellis (born March 7, 1964) is an American author, screenwriter, and short story writer. His works have been translated into 27 languages. He was at first regarded as one of the so-called literary Brat Pack, which also included Tama Janowitz and Jay McInerney. He is a self-proclaimed satirist whose trademark technique, as a writer, is the expression of extreme acts and opinions in an affectless style. Ellis employs a technique of linking novels with common, recurring characters. Ellis made his debut at age 21 with the controversial bestseller Less Than Zero (1985), published by Simon & Schuster, a zeitgeist novel about wealthy amoral young people in Los Angeles. His third novel, American Psycho (1991) was his most successful. On its release, the literary establishment widely condemned the novel as overly violent and misogynistic. Though many petitions to ban the book saw Ellis dropped by Simon & Schuster, the resounding controversy convinced Alfred A. Knopf to release it as a paperback later that year. In later years, Ellis' novels have become increasingly metafictional. Lunar Park (2005), a pseudo-memoir and ghost story, received positive reviews. Imperial Bedrooms (2010), marketed as a sequel to Less Than Zero, continues in this vein. Four of Ellis's works have been made into films. Less Than Zero was rapidly adapted for screen, leading to the release of a starkly different film of the same name in 1987. Mary Harron's adaptation of American Psycho was released to generally positive reviews in 2000 and went on to achieve cult status. Roger Avary's 2002 adaptation The Rules of Attraction made modest box office returns but went on to attract a cult following. 2008's The Informers, based on Ellis's collection of short stories, was critically panned. Ellis also wrote the screenplay for the critically derided 2013 film The Canyons, an original work. more…

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Submitted by CV1405 on April 10, 2023

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    "American Psycho" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 10 May 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script/american_psycho_27063>.

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