AMERICAN PSYCHO
Review by John Beachem
* * * * 1/2
Directed by: Mary Harron Written by: Bret Easton Ellis (novel), Mary Harron
There are generally only two possible opinions one can form of a movie like Mary Harron's ("I Shot Andy Warhol") "American Psycho". You may walk out of this movie thinking it is a horrid, disgusting piece of garbage which should never have been committed to film; or you'll believe, as I do, that this is a brilliant black comedy the likes of which has not been seen in quite some time. This may also be the breakout role for Christian Bale ("A Midsummer Night's Dream"), an actor who displays some amazing, Oscar worthy talent in this movie. Alternatingly uproariously funny and shockingly violent, this is the kind of movie which will stay in your mind for days afterwards. I'll warn you right now, if you don't like your humor black as pitch stay far away from this movie.
It's the mid 1980's and the yuppie era is in full swing. Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is one of these yuppies who spends his time worrying about whether he'll get a good table at the best restaurant and how expensive his apartment is compared to his friends'. He is engaged to Evelyn Williams (Reese Witherspoon), who he is cheating on with Courtney Rawlinson (Samantha Mathis), the fiancee of the irritating Lewis Carruthers (Matt Ross). It may sound like a normal, if slightly soap opera like lifestyle, but Patrick explains to us in occasional narrative voice-overs that he isn't actually a regular human. He may have the appearance of a human, and he may follow the morning and evening routines of your average, everyday person, but he is really a cold blooded killer. Bateman isn't sure why he does what he does, but his urge for blood and violence is growing stronger and stronger each night.
The film may start off looking more like a straight out comedy than a combination comedy and slasher film, but don't let that fool you. When things turn violent it is sudden and rather shocking. Yet despite what you may have heard, "American Psycho" is not an incredibly violent movie. Nearly all the slaughter and mayhem takes place off screen or in the dark. This doesn't mean this is a movie for young audiences. We do see the aftermath of many of Bateman's violent acts, and there are enough sex scenes that this could easily have earned an NC-17 rating. Mary Harron does an excellent job of not focusing entirely on the violent acts, but more on the atmosphere surrounding Bateman and his victims. The atmosphere consists of everything being filmed in either dark colors or stale whites with weak lighting. This gives the film an eerie, other worldly feel to it.
I'm sorry this movie was released so early in the year because Academy members will almost certainly forget about Christian Bale's amazing performance come Oscar time. Bale manages to make Bateman inhumanly cold and calculating without turning the character into another typical movie psycho. Reese Witherspoon ("Election"), a very talented actress, is unfortunately given nothing to do as Bateman's fiancee. Chloe Sevigny ("Boys Don't Cry") gives an adequate performance as Bateman's secretary, the only person he seems to actually care about. The remainder of the supporting cast is comprised of actors like Jared Leto ("Fight Club") and Willem Dafoe ("Affliction"), who aren't given much to do, but that doesn't really matter since the focus of the movie should and does stay on Bateman.
"American Psycho" has a few other things going for it besides the acting and revolting, yet strangely ivoling plot. The soundtrack is a perfect combination of '80s and classical music and is always used at just the right moments. Bateman's voice overs, explaining his actions and his state of mind, never seem out of place and actually give us some needed insight into his actions and what makes him do what he does. The humor sprinkled throughout the movie is at times hilarious, especially a scene in which Bateman and his colleagues compare business cards. The only thing working against the movie is the rather confusing and ambiguous ending. I think it was supposed to tie everything up and offer some sort of explanation, but I had no idea what was going on. "American Psycho" runs a perfect 97 minutes and not a scene is wasted. I'd recommend the movie to fans of very, very dark humor and give it four and a half out of five stars.
Comments? Feel free to e-mail them to: johnbeachem@dependentfilms.net For past reviews, movie news, and other fun stuff, visit: http://www.dependentfilms.net
* * * * * - One of the greatest movies ever made, see it now. * * * * - Great flick, try and catch this one. * * * - Okay movie, hits and misses. * * - Pretty bad, see it only if you have nothing better to do.
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