American Psycho
The scene which I am analysing is colloquially known as the "Business Card Scene" due to it's content, but we can tell from actually watching the scene that it is much more sinister from the music which is being played beneath. The scene begins more calm with business men making small talk and the main character, the "American Psycho"(as we gather from the film poster), narrating the scene on top of this.
Yet, as soon as the business card is passed from one character, Paul Allen, to another, Bryce, there is a tension cast over the scene which is thanks to the introduction of non-diegetic sound. As Allen opens his business card case and hands the card over, there is a soundtrack added which makes the viewer believe that there is something dangerous going to happen as a consequence, due to the ominous tone of it. It is very suspenseful and encourages the viewer to believe that something is about to happen.
There are a lot of diegetic sounds which are brought in too, and this is very interesting. Despite the sounds only being of men opening their business card cases, the metallic effect sounds like the loading of a handgun.
As the card is passed between hands, there is a noise like an exhaling, which could be construed as Bateman (the lead) trying to control his breath. He is blatantly not happy about this high profile character giving his business card to another person, but not himself.
There is then only sound from the characters continuing in small talk, until Bateman pulls out his business card case. This is clearly an important move, emphasised by the music which has been played over the image of him withdrawing it from within his jacket. He does so as the other characters discuss Allen. The noise almost points towards something happening to him, including the diegetic sound of the case opening sharply. This sounds like a blade being drawn, sharpened, or even a switchblade being opened. This immediately triggers an awareness of danger, considering what we already know about this character. When the case moves out of sight the sound stops, and there is silence until he pushes the card towards the other characters. The noise builds up again and then calms when the card is in the position that he wants. They discuss the card briefly, and it is evident how proud he is of it from the way in which he speaks. His voice is low, high class and this suggests to us just how much of an enigma he is. He appears to be a suave businessman but the tone throughout the scene suggests otherwise - each time the breathy sound passes over we can feel a sense of danger. This is known as Verfremdungseffekt, coined by Victor Shklovsky. This term is used to distance us from the character in the sense that if we are following their story, they are the protagonist and hence the "good guy". This is not so true though, because we already know that Bateman is a murderer. This distances the audience because we have to step back and actually question what is wrong and right. He is evidently a serial killer but he is also shown to us as the one which we ought to show support for. This is strong evidence for the verfremdungseffekt.
The way in which Bateman utters "Nice" is low, monotone and is said in a gravelly, whispered voice which is a far cry from the way which he was just talking so proudly about his own card. This has connotations of testosterone, or the character having a masculinity about him. This is a secondary side to him. The opening scene shows his daily morning routine including face masks and picking out the perfect designer suit for the day. This is more effeminate.
This is evidence of Bateman having a different side to him and this one is more dangerous. It is supported by the ominous music cast over the scene and the metallic diegetic sound effects. There is then a much longer sound as Bryce complements the other card, and Bateman is clearly showing signs of stress at this, shown in the image above. The way that he talks sounds provocatively threatening as he claims to be in disbelief over Bryce's preference. His facial expressions are well supported by the music and his monotone voice. Despite his claim to be feeling such an emotion, his voice reveals very little. This is something which is shown within the thriller series "Dexter". The cinematic sociopath is shown to fake emotion which is almost what Bateman does here. This could potentially be something which the creators of Dexter chose to include in terms of intertextual referencing.
When he asks to see Paul Allen's card, Bateman clasps his hands together and then points them towards the other men in a manner reminiscent of aiming a gun. We can take this as being significant because of his evident emotions towards the man in question - he is asking to see the card so that he can size up the competition. His fingers being pointed like this also reveals a little of his true nature to his peers.
Directed by: Mary Harron
Produced by: Lionsgate Films
Release Date: 21 April 2000 (UK)
Box Office Gross Returns: $34,266,564 (Worldwide)
Rated 18
Given a 7.6/10 on IMDB
Left viewers confused with it's "ambiguous ending", but they enjoyed the "satire" and "black comedy"
Dexter
This TV show has another example of the verfremdungseffekt. The main character is a blood splatter analyst for the Miami Metro Homicide Division. He moonlights as a serial killer, taking care of the cases which managed to slip through the system and get away regardless of their misdoings.
In this particular scene, Dexter is being talked to by Sergeant Doakes, who sees through Dexter's everyday facade. He is being threatened and up until the point shown in the image to the right, he is being lighthearted in response. This is up until Doakes begins to make accusations against him. The music then begins to turn a little more sinister and there is a noise similar to a rattlesnakes tail going. This foretells the danger that Doakes has put himself in, as well as the switch in Dexter's personality. You can see this in his face as well, and the sound only emphasises this. The loud, diegetic sound of him sighing is also evidence for this shift. This creates a lot of suspense because his friendly, carefree demeanor has been replaced for one which is distancing to even dedicated viewers.
The music continues, and it is ominous and just generally sounds dangerous. Previously to this, there was subtle music similar to the way the sound in American Psycho tailed off each time, only continuing the whole way through.
The music continues to get more and more tense, with Dexter's voice low, controlled and almost teasing to the sergeant. He then headbutts the man, sends him flying backwards. This is interesting because he then leaves and goes into the main office.
The music is tense and provocative as he walks out of the room, and gets increasingly tense until Doakes bursts out of the room. The music sounds like a chase scene, yet Dexter walks with composure, with his hands in his pockets. This is clearly a skill which he has cultivated over time, being a sociopath. This is something which Bateman, in the previously analysed scene, is also good at.
Screenplay by: James Manos Jr
Produced by: Showtime Networks
Released: 2006-Present
Rated 15/18
Given 9.1/10 on IMDB
Viewers said it was "eclectic""breathless" and a "bloody masterpiece"
No comments:
Post a Comment