Tagged: Christian Bale
Public Enemies: Christian Bale’s Hunting Gear as Melvin Purvis
Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis in Public Enemies (2009)
Vitals
Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis, ambitious FBI agent
Columbiana County, Ohio, October 1934
Film: Public Enemies
Release Date: July 1, 2009
Director: Michael Mann
Costume Designer: Colleen Atwood
WARNING! Spoilers ahead!
Background
Ninety years ago today, a law enforcement team combined of local police and federal agents led by Melvin Purvis cornered and killed the Depression-era desperado Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd on a farm outside of Clarkson in western Ohio. Purvis had risen to national prominence for his role in the death of bank robber John Dillinger three months earlier in Chicago, an incident that propelled the Oklahoma-born outlaw Floyd to the top of J. Edgar Hoover’s list of “Public Enemies”.
Based on Bryan Burrough’s nonfiction volume of the same name, Michael Mann’s 2009 film Public Enemies centered primarily around Purvis’ hunt for Dillinger, following Mann’s formula from films like Manhunter, Heat, and Collateral that reflects the unique mirror between two professionals on opposing sides of the law—in this case represented by the charismatic criminal Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and more laconic lawman Purvis (Christian Bale).
As a result, lip service is paid to Floyd’s notoriety but the circumstances of his October 1934 death are actually positioned a year earlier so that Bale’s Purvis leads the hunt and fires the fatal shot into “Pretty Boy” Floyd (Channing Tatum) before he’s even recruited into the Dillinger manhunt. Continue reading
American Psycho: Patrick Bateman’s Camel Coat and Navy Windowpane Suit
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000)
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, investment banker and killer
New York City, Spring 1988
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
WARNING! Spoilers ahead!
Background
Happy 50th birthday to Christian Bale!
Prior to his blockbuster performances as Gotham’s caped crusader in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and his Academy Award-winning performance in The Fighter (2011), the Welsh-born actor’s breakthrough adult role was arguably as the sociopathic businessman—and suggested serial killer—Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, adapted by Mary Herron from Bret Easton Ellis’ dark satirical novel of the same name. Continue reading
Patrick Bateman’s Tuxedo
Christian Bale and Cara Seymour as Patrick Bateman and Christie, respectively, in American Psycho (2000).
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, shallow investment banker and possible serial killer
New York City, Spring 1988
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
Background
Halloween approaching is a fine time to address a monster in human form like Patrick Bateman who may have been a sharp dresser (for the ’80s) but was undoubtedly a terrible human being (in any era!)
You can tell Bateman is trying his best to be seen as a classy host; he plays Phil Collins, after all! Of course, Bateman is hindered by the fact that no classy evening should ever include the words “don’t just stare at it, eat it!” Continue reading
Patrick Bateman’s Gray Suit in American Psycho
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000).
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, bored investment banker and possible serial killer
New York City, Spring 1988
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
Background
Perceived as nothing more than a bland Wall Street banker by his friends at the start of the film, Patrick Bateman’s “mask of sanity” begins slipping away as some begin to see that there’s something darker beneath the surface.
Even his friends, never directly privy to his violent secret life, show strands of doubt after an ill-humored joke at the expense of real life serial killer’s Ed Gein’s multiple victims. Bateman tries to maintain his surface as a fashionable, successful businessman, but those not enraptured in the yuppie universe of late 1980s Manhattan—notably detective Donald Kimball (Willem Dafoe) and poor prostitute Christie (Cara Seymour)—see through the designer brands. Continue reading
Patrick Bateman’s Charcoal Pinstripe Double-Breasted Suit
Christian Bale as Huey Lewis fan Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000).
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, bored investment banker and possible serial killer
New York City, December 1987
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
Background
“Aw man, I loved this blog until you called a serial killer a BAMF!”
Sorry, guys, but…
- It’s Halloween.
- There’s no denying that Bateman had style.
- Some people think his killings were all just in his mind anyway. Continue reading