30 Facts You Didn't Know About American Psycho
The Why・19 minutes read
Designer labels hesitated to be associated with "American Psycho," leading to changes in the brands featured in the film. Christian Bale's method acting included sweating on cue in every take to embody Patrick Bateman's character fully.
Insights
- Designer labels hesitated to be associated with "American Psycho," leading to changes in featured brands in the film, such as Patrick Bateman wearing a Seiko watch instead of Rolex due to the latter's refusal.
- Christian Bale's method acting for the role of Patrick Bateman included consistent sweating during every take, demonstrating his intense dedication and commitment to portraying the character authentically.
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Recent questions
Why did Christian Bale sweat during every take?
Method acting dedication to role of Patrick Bateman.
What watch did Patrick Bateman wear in the film?
Seiko watch due to Rolex's refusal.
Who was Patrick Bateman named after?
Norman Bates, adding a layer of connection.
What did Christian Bale improvise in the film?
Jump rope move and dancing before killing Paul Allen.
Why did David Cronenberg depart from the project?
Original vision differed significantly from final film.
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Summary
00:00
"American Psycho": Behind-the-Scenes Secrets Revealed
- Many designer labels were hesitant to be associated with the graphic nature of "American Psycho," leading to changes in the brands featured in the film.
- Christian Bale's method acting included breaking into a sweat at the same time during every take, showcasing his dedication to the role of Patrick Bateman.
- Despite the frequent mention of Rolex in the novel, the character of Patrick Bateman wears a Seiko watch in the film due to Rolex's refusal to have their watches worn by him.
- The character of Patrick Bateman was named after Norman Bates, adding a layer of connection to another iconic psycho character.
- Subtle details in the film, like a scene with detective Kimball reflecting light into Bateman's eye, hint at deeper themes and character traits.
- Christian Bale improvised certain scenes, like a jump rope move and dancing before killing Paul Allen, showcasing his creativity in portraying Bateman.
- Christian Bale underwent dental work to perfect his teeth for the role of Patrick Bateman, highlighting his commitment to embodying the character.
- David Cronenberg's original vision for "American Psycho" differed significantly from the final film, leading to his departure from the project.
- Willem Dafoe recorded multiple takes for his scenes, creating ambiguity around his character's suspicions of Bateman.
- Despite initial hesitations, Christian Bale was eventually cast as Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho" after several other actors turned down the role, with the film's budget ultimately not exceeding $7 million.
14:06
Bale's Transformation for American Psycho Role
- Bob Frank blamed the recall of Coke records on Lewis's objection to the violent nature of the movie, which was considered a blatant lie given Lewis's prior licensing of the song.
- Christian Bale, upon confirmation for the role of Patrick Bateman, met with author Brett Easton Ellis, but the meeting turned unnerving as Bale arrived in character, leading Ellis to ask him to stop.
- Bale admitted to never having gone to a gym before American Psycho, marking the start of his physical transformations, despite hating the process and its effect on brain cells.
- Despite warnings against taking the role of Patrick Bateman, Bale's commitment to the character led to success, showcasing the impact of trusting one's instincts over others' opinions.
