How much money do you think someone needs to earn every year to be considered “wealthy” in Manhattan?
- I would consider a “wealthy” person in Manhattan someone as someone who makes one million dollars a year or more on their own. Obviously, if you’re raising a family it’s going to be more, and if you live in one of the outer boroughs it’s going to be a little less.
How do you think Patrick Bateman viewed his wealth compared to others he interacted with on a daily basis?
- I don’t think that Bateman ever thought his money was enough, even if he was making as much as his peers. In the movie, they were always competing to see who had the best of this or that, or who could get a reservation as blank restaurant. I don’t think he was ever satisfied with what he was making, possibly because other parts of his life were so empty.
What do you think the most important principle is to live a successful life in Manhattan?
- Definitely discipline, but that goes for any competitive environment. In order to make it in NYC you need to always be on top of your game. Anywhere you go here, there’s going to be a line of people that have the same qualifications as you, half of them might be better at whatever it is you’re doing. If you fail, there’s fifty people behind you that will take your place, and you have to discipline yourself to stay at the top of the pack.
If you could choose one principle what would it be?
- For my own life? I would probably say that life only moves in one direction. There’s no point of dwelling on something that’s already passed, or worrying (too much) about something that hasn’t happened yet. I think that we have to accept that some things are just out of our control.
Is it possible to be poor but appear rich?
- For sure. It’s all about presentation. Anyone can go out and spend all their money in order to present themselves how they want to be seen. You can go out to nice restaurants and wear nice clothes, but then go home to a crappy apartment on the edge of town. If you have the desire to keep up your appearance, I think it’s possible.
How does privilege affect one’s definition of financial success?
- I think that it’s far easier to achieve success, if you start out in/from a privileged situation rather than if you were coming from nothing, and as a result of that the definition will be different as well. I would say that it takes more to be financially successful if you’re privileged, because you probably started off with more.
Do you think the director of American Psycho attempted to portray Patrick Bateman in the film as someone relatable and possibly even someone to look up to?
- I don’t. I think that the director, Mary Hannon, tried to make Bateman as approachable as possible. We’re not supposed to relate to him, but rather she wants us to be scared or concerned for his wellbeing. At least for me, he came off as almost alien-like. He’s a cold being that I can’t relate much too. It seems that all he cares about is himself and his image, which is something that I don’t look up to.
Did Patrick Bateman have a similar (think about money) affect on you, yes or no?
- No. I don’t think I will ever value money the way that Bateman does. With the exception of killing (as I said before) it seems that’s literally all that he cares about. His ideas of success is based solely around material objects instead of larger ideas.
