AMERICAN PSYCHO

2000

Christian Bale gets the role of a lifetime as Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street yuppie by day, psychopathic murderer by night. The film gives you a glimpse inside his world- the materialism, the shallowness, the beautiful women, the exotic restaurants and the gruesome violence. For those of you with weak constitutions, the violence, however, is mostly just implied. You don't see that much. Based on the best-selling novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the film does a good job of getting most of the key aspects of the book across but it seems like the director could not decide whether this would be a comedy or a drama. The film quickly shifts gears between the dramatic voice-overs of Bateman telling you about himself and outrageously funny black comedy. Those of you who won't take it too seriously should enjoy this one. I certainly did.

4 Stars

CDF

When I read this book by Bret Easton Ellis 10 years ago, I knew that it could never be filmed, partly because of the unbearable torture scenes(one involving a rat and a vagina!) Now, it is on film, and being billed as a "satiric comedy," no less. What's going on? What director Mary Harron has done is nothing short of incredible. Patrick Bateman(Christian Bale) is still the Jekyll and Hyde main character...a name-brand-yuppie-Wall Street-stock broker by day, and a butchering serial killer by night. (Is there a difference??) But now, the emphasis is on the comedy and satire of Patrick's greed-is-good life style, and the murders are trimmed down and filmed in a surreal, almost chic way. Be warned, however, there's still a lot of blood. This balancing act is breathtaking in its' daring...and it almost works. This is a tribute to director Mary Harron, screenwriter Guinevere Turner, and especially, its' star, Christian Bale. After this film, Bale, one of my favorite actors, will finally be appreciated for what he is...one of the best young actors on screen today. Who else could play Jesus(in the TV film, "Mary, Mother of Jesus,") and Patrick Bateman in the same year? Is there anything wrong with the film? Yes, very definitely. At times, it's actually BORING. VERY BORING! So much so, that the satire and comedy get lost, and all you're left with are good suits and fancy furniture!

3.5 Stars

NJB