American Psycho
- Jan 26, 2014
- 3 min read
I saw this movie was going to be added to Netflix and thought, “interesting, maybe I’ll watch it some time.” I gave the idea little thought because normally when i say that about Netflix movies I end up forgetting to watch them and later regret it. The other day one of my brothers showed me a few clips of the movie and said I would like it. I just finished it and my mind is blown.
A film about murder, sex, a fast pace life style and a crazy man. Right? Not even close. Patrick Bateman is as normal as our closest friend. His goal in life is to be the best he can be. Yet in his quest something is missing. He does not feel complete and even by his own accord does not even feel human. This is a feeling that all have and few ever address. Why do we drink, smoke, tell lies or participate in anything that proves counter to what many deem morally just. The reason is to add some excitement to life, to spice things up and show that they are real. We are not just a sack of flesh, meat and bones, but something greater. These are all ways to challenge death while also seeking attention for the pain and loneliness we all feel. While few of us decide to seek a feeling of life through taking the lives of others,(thank goodness) the way Bateman describes his need to kill made me instantly think of my own desires which I deem undesirable.
Maybe this is all something only I deal with, maybe not. Sometimes I look at my actions and just ask myself why? Why didn’t I help a person sooner? Why didn’t I stop drinking sooner? Why do I think these things that in the end lead only to my own misery? The simple answer is because I want someone to react to me. Once again, fortunately my actions have never lead to murder and really only sometimes even lead to people getting upset, (this really isn’t a cry for help or anything) but the idea is that myself, along with most all other humans I believe are simply crying for help. God does not answer their prayers the way they want so they seek human response. Someone to pull them aside and say, “What the hell is wrong with you and how can I help?” Bateman in the end of the film finally admits that all he wanted was to have his actions recognized and to be held accountable. Even in murder he could not find that peace.
What we do in our lives is not murder to find attention (hopefully) but when the help comes we do all that we know. Seek more attention by lying. We tell the person who comes to our aid we are better now, when we are not. We tell the person it was never a big deal to begin with, when it actually felt as though nothing in the world will ever be the same. And we tell ourselves that finally someone realized I am here.
Recently I talked to a close friend about the most important piece of life being honesty. The ability to tell someone we need help seems to be lost in our generation or may never have existed to begin with. Therefore it is our individual duty to live life more honestly. To do anything else will not hurt those around us. They will not even know we are upset nor will they care. The only one hurt in the end is you. Take this not as a message of doom, but one of hope. There is an answer to life, that answer is truth.
10/10
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