American Psycho/Trivia

The book:

 * Genius Bonus: Patrick gives detailed descriptions of each character's clothes, including brand names and prices. Readers who are extremely knowledgeable about 80's fashion will notice that the outfits are clownishly mismatched.
 * There's a similar gag involving the food at the various restaurants, which go from outrageous but plausible (red snapper pizza) to outright inedible (mud soup and charcoal arugula).
 * In the film it's "peanut butter soup". You don't have to be a genius to be weirded out by that one (peanut soup, sometimes using peanut butter to speed up cooking, does exist though-- and is quite tasty).
 * Technology Marches On: Some of Patrick's detailed descriptions of his home entertainment system seems anachronistic by today's standards, especially since the point is how state-of-the-art it is.
 * Write Who You Know: Ellis has described Bateman as being based on his father.

The film:
"Elizabeth: I'm not a lesbian! Why would you think that? Patrick: Well, you did go to Sarah Lawrence."
 * Actor Allusion: Technically an Actor/Writer allusion.


 * Guinevere Turner (who plays Elizabeth) is a lesbian, and really did go to Sarah Lawrence.
 * Dyeing for Your Art: Christian Bale worked out constantly to achieve the buff, narcissistic look a person like Bateman would have.
 * Fake American Psycho: Christian Bale, a Wels-- English actor, played Patrick Bateman in the film.
 * Hey, It's That Guy!: Jackie Burkhart is a serial killer and Captain Kirk is an university professor.
 * Subverted with the director. He's not that Morgan Freeman.
 * Hey, it's the Green Goblin!
 * Angel Face meets an even nastier end here.
 * What Could Have Been: Leonardo DiCaprio was the original actor for Bateman before he had to drop out due to schedule conflicts. Imagine what THAT would've been like.
 * Edward Norton and Brad Pitt were also initially offered the role.