The business card scene in the movie “American Psycho” directed by Mary Harron and adopted from the book by Bret Easton Ellis, is a pivotal moment of masterful satire that encapsulates the underlying themes and critiques of the film. In this scene, the main character, Patrick Bateman, played by actor Christian Bale, and his colleagues are gathered together in a meeting where they begin to compare and obsess over their extravagant business cards. Although seemingly mundane, this scene holds significant symbolic meaning, reflecting the shallow materialism, intense competition, and existential emptiness that pervade the world depicted in the film.
One of the primary symbols in the business card scene is the cards themselves. Business cards traditionally serve as an introduction and a means of professional networking, representing one’s identity and affiliation. However, in “American Psycho”, the business cards become objects of fetishistic obsession and status symbols. The exaggerated attention given to the design, typography, and subtle variations between the cards highlights the superficiality and consumerist culture of the characters. It reveals their obsession with external appearances rather than genuine substance or individuality. As individuals progressively reveal their business cards, hypermasculine tensions rise. While Patrick Bateman’s card is inscribed with “silian rail” on “bone” colored paper, the offwhite coloration of Paul Allen’s card reveals him as the ultimate business card holder amongst the men. This result bruises Bateman’s extreme alternate psychopathic ego as he strives for power and success.
The obsession with business cards represents the characters’ relentless pursuit of social validation and the need to establish dominance and superiority over others. Throughout the film, Bateman is portrayed as a highly competitive individual, constantly striving to outdo his peers in every aspect of life, whether it be fashion, dining, or business success. The business card scene serves as a microcosm of this hyper-competitive environment, where even the smallest details can become the basis for social hierarchy and judgment.
The scene also symbolizes the dehumanization and loss of personal identity within a corporate culture that values conformity and uniformity. The business cards are virtually indistinguishable from one another, with their minimalist designs and subtle variations in font and color. This uniformity reflects the characters’ lack of individuality and their assimilation into the dehumanizing corporate world. By obsessing over these minor details, the characters attempt to carve out a sense of identity and uniqueness in an environment that erodes individuality.
Moreover, the business card scene exposes the existential emptiness and existential crisis experienced by the characters. Bateman and his colleagues invest an absurd amount of time, energy, and emotion into something as trivial as a business card. This exaggerated focus on material possessions and societal status reveals a profound lack of purpose and meaning in their lives. The characters are so detached from genuine human connection and personal fulfillment that they substitute it with superficial pursuits.
Additionally, the business card scene highlights the hollowness and artifice of the corporate world. The film is set in 1980s Manhattan during the height of corporate excess and greed. The business cards, with their expensive quality and luxurious aesthetics, symbolize the opulence and extravagance of this era. However, underneath the veneer of success and wealth lies a sense of moral bankruptcy and ethical decay. The characters, obsessed with wealth and power, engage in unethical behavior, including murder, without any consequence or remorse. The business card scene acts as a stark reminder that the pursuit of material wealth and status can lead to a loss of humanity and a disregard for ethical values.
In conclusion, the business card scene in “American Psycho” is a powerful symbol that encapsulates the film’s critique of shallow materialism, intense competition, and existential emptiness. The exaggerated obsession with business cards represents the characters’ relentless pursuit of social validation and dominance. The scene also highlights the dehumanization and loss of personal identity within the corporate world. Furthermore, it exposes the hollowness and artifice of the corporate culture, where material possessions are substituted for genuine human connection and ethical values. Ultimately, the business card scene serves as a critique of a society that prioritizes appearances over substance and highlights the dangers of unchecked consumerism and competition.