Opening scene of American Psycho Analysis

"American Psycho" is a film released in 2002, directed by Marry Haron. It is a comedy slasher styled film.

In this analysis I will briefly write and discuss the various cinematic properties of the opening scene in "American Psycho", by visiting concepts of camerawork, sound production, mise-en-scene and post production editing, employed and used in this movie.

Camera:

The director of American psycho, Mary haron, delivers a wide variety of camera techniques and shots in the opening scene of American psycho, with a wide use close ups, extreme close ups, zoom ins, wide shots, and stabilized shots.

This is evident in a multitude of cuts, at the beginning of the scene (00:1) we are treated with a pan of the main characters hallways, slowly moving towards the right as we get a clear view to his pristine living room. Suddenly we are cut to a slow stabilized shot as we come closer to a view of his bed. With this the camera once again cuts to a hallway where we first see our main character, walk out view from our hallway perspective. (00:20) and cut to a different hallway, to his right as we are shown a wide angle, followed quickly by a cut to zoom in close up of his face in the reflection of a picture frame. This is to aid in the narration of himself and allow us to get a view of his face. (00:31) After some self narration there is a over shoulder shot of him opening his fridge, allowing us to view the contents and healthy mannerisms he regulates himself to. After grabbing his ice pack the camera cuts to a mid shot of his workout, with a zoom in to his upper torso midway through. (00:53) Once again the camera cuts do a different scene of him showering, the camera getting closer with a stabilized shot as we view his evidently healthy physique. As he goes on with his skin care routing we see more close ups of him in the mirror from an over shoulder angle, as the camera cuts closer, to a extreme close up and once again cuts to a mid shot as he adjusts the mirror. And cuts back to a close up of him peeling his face. the camera tilted slightly from below.

Sound:

As soon as the scene starts we are treated to a lovely non diagetic use of piano, a classical, calm tune, attempting to show off the calmness and orderliness of the atmosphere, followed closely then by diagetic sounds of our main characters feet walking and him interacting in the environment by using the rest room. Then spontaneously we hear a non diagetic self narration and dialogue of our main character explaining himself from what would be a third person. His daily morning routine and beliefs, all while the music plays in the background with its calm and serene composing. Only to cut to a him opening the fridge, grabbing an ice pack as it crisply makes a sound and follow him to exercising, the strain making him make diagetic sounds of intense breathing and soft pats of his body in contact with the floorboard. This transitions to him in the shower, where we can hear the soft drizzle of the water run down him, and the shampoo squelch as he cleans himself. More diagetic sounds are for example when he opens the first aid cabinet, which doubles as a mirror and makes a small squeak followed by him peeling off his face-mask, which gives off a sound of crumpling paper as it slowly peels off him. This all happens with the music humming in the background and his mental narration of himself playing.

Mise-en scene:

The scene is set in an apartment, that is lavishly furnished, with expensive looking furniture, many personal touches such as paintings, small trinkets on shelves etc. The apartment itself being perfectly clean and organized with tiling and more. The tone of the film is dim, almost industrial feeling with little to no vibrancy in color, just monotone colors of black, grey, black and brown present on the set. This is seemingly enhanced by a reduction in lighting, where shadows are more present as well. And all main objects of possession don't seem to extend past his requirement of ideal health, looks and physique, as an example his extensive cleansing routine, this is due to the directors idea to portay