Quote:
Originally Posted by Neapolitan
I don't think the guy has firm grasp on reality let alone music - I think it spoofs the opinions of Genesis fans rather than an insightful critique on Genesis that is to be taken seriously. There something eerie about it, the guy gives a emotionally detached monotonous speech about something he is suppose to be passionate about while playing a "romantic" song. He sounds very professional about inane stuff, I think the scene is set up to provide irony.
It reminds me of American Psycho (II) where the guy had this strange obsession with Huey Lewis and the News. I've seen APII with my cousin, because he's into to those slasher movies, (I don't care for them) and I came away just hating Huey Lewis from that one scene, I still have to look over my should when I hear a song by Huey Lewis and the News.
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You are correct, the scene is set up to provide irony-- or more accurately-- satire, and it is not to be an accurate analysis of the band, but rather of the Patrick Bateman character. The quote about Genesis has nothing to do with spoofing Genesis fans. In fact, the original author (Brett Easton Ellis) must of had imitate knowledge of Gabriel era Genesis to be able to include that section. The Genesis quote is used because it fits the Patrick Bateman character perfectly. He likes 80's genesis and doesn't understand 70's Genesis because he is a shallow character, so he associates more with the more shallow version of Genesis from the 80's, which he even admits...
"I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn’t understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual"
American Psycho II has nothing to do with the book or the original; it was not even in the theaters. The Huey Lewis quote, as well as a similar Whitney Houston quote, along with the Genesis quote are all in the original.
All Patrick Bateman (the protagonist) is concerned with is how things seem on the surface... clothes, restaurants, music, and so on. Here's a great clip of interviews from the actors. Mary Harron, the director, does the best job of explaining the movie. Although there is a back plot of Bateman as serial killer, it is certainly not a slasher film, which is why the film is so misunderstood.