American Psycho Analysis

The opening of this shows a ‘normal’ looking man going through his morning routine and explaining it to the audience in great detail.

Camera angles

Panning shots are used at the beginning to show around his normal, bachelor pad, home. This shows the setting and interestes the audience. It also lures the audience into a false sense of security as this normal looking would not usually make you feel as if someone sinister is living there. This is typical of a thriller as it keeps the audience on edge and doesn't give anything away and creates a sense of mystery.

Close up and zoom are also used throughout. One effective close up is used when a face in his reflection on a film poster, shows his interests - or the person he is trying to project (well involved in pop culture, society, ect.) and also shows his cold, glare as he looks at himself. It introduces characters face and also his expression shows that there is something else to him. Typical of a Thriller as it creates a sense of mystery.

Mixture of wide shots that change to close ups during exercise routine which gives the impression of getting closer and closer to the character physically and mentally as he tells the audience more about him and his routine. It also works well with the zooms, that are used throughout, having the camera zoom in closer to him, the subject, having the same effect of becoming closer to the chacacter.

There are also close ups on various objects such as shampoo, face mask, moisturizer which shows the audience important aspects of his routine and to the character which come across as odd for a man and makes the audience question what is going on – typical of a thriller.

Close ups on face show his emotionless bland withdrawn expression and harsh eyes. The end part of scene is particually effect, when the character is pulling off face mask. It's symbolic of what lies beneath his exterior. Taking off his mask. Fits what he is saying. Again, typical of thriller. It shows there is something dark about this person, something not right, but it is a mystery. His dark gaze also shows this.

Sound

The use of classical music at first seems calm, normal and shows that he is a man with class, money, some form of high social status with an appreciation for the arts maybe. Intelligent. This then changes when he is pulling off his face mask, telling the audience that there is something sinister to him. The music changes from light and classic to more ominous, dark, scary tones. Also represents how he might be able to go from calm to evil. Classic of a thriller. Shows the audience that there is more to it than this, there is a mystery, there is a problem, something dark.

The use of a voice over is also effective. He explains to the audience his routine as the audience watch it. His attention to detail seems a little odd, over powering, well thought out and contrived slightly as if he might be putting it on for show. This makes the audience feel there might be something weird going on with him. At the end part of the scene he says things like, “there is no real me, only an entity” “I can hide my cold gaze” “I simply and not there” – shows audience there is something wrong with him certainly. It is scary, thrilling and makes the audience question what is going on?

Also the use of phrases such as, “you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours” is particularly sinister. The words “flesh” and “gripping” are particularly violent words. Flesh makes the audience think of blood, death, slaughter. Where as gripping makes the audience think of violence, fights, force. Maybe a sadistic nature is in this character? This is a typical 'thrilling' story line to have it be about a killer. It also is typical for the thriller to not exactly say what exactly is wrong with him.

Editing
Long takes create a feeling of calmness, most thrillers start off calm. It allows the audience to think about what's going on, what is happening and what might happen.

Mes en Scene
It's set in an apartment , lots of white and clean ‘modern’ furniture. Shows wealth of the main character and also shows him appearing to be normal. This makes audience question what could happen and draws them into a sense of false security. Again this is typical of thrillers to put the audience in a place where that might not be what it seems.

Framing is also interesting as he is mostly in the middle of the frame, this is to focus on him - the main character - and have the audience think and observe him and what he is doing. It also gives the film a sophisticated and well thought out feel, which is fitting to the image obsessed settings and message of the film.There is a wide shot with the door central with him walking through it, this shows he is the main subject and seems quite mysterious. Makes audience question what, who, why? Typical of a thriller movie.

Costume wise, he is topless/nude for this, showing that he makes an effort with his physical appearance.