'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enou...
'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enough to wish to continue to read my ramblings, you can find me on Dooyoo under the user name plipplop. See you around! :P
Member since:15.07.2000
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When the novel American Psycho was published a few years ago, there was an awful lot of publicity surrounding the release of the book, condemning the writing as disturbing, and socially irresponsible. Certainly, a colleague of mine was reading the novel and described some very horrific scenes. It came as a something of a surprise to me therefore when a film version was made and released to cinema audiences. The film certainly does not contain anywhere near the level of graphic violence and horror contained in the book, but you should be aware that American Psycho is an unsettling and often disturbing film.
Christian Bale plays the lead role Patrick Bateman. Set in New York during the eighties, Bateman is shown as a typical yuppie. He lives in a plush apartment; is obsessed with his appearance; spends all his time wining and dining with colleagues and friends and essentially leads a completely materialistic life. Except Patrick Bateman is not like his colleagues - beneath his preened, cool exterior he is a seething mass of psychopathic hatred and suppressed anger. As the film proceeds the viewer gradually observes his descent into madness, as he is unable to control his urge to kill and mutilate.
This really is a very strange film – a curious balance of the humorous and the grotesque. Much of Bateman’s
dialogue is quite amusing, and in one sequence he is portrayed happily discussing the relative merits of Huey Lewis and The News – and even having a bit of a boogie – shortly before despatching his colleague with an axe to the head. Conversely there are a number of quite unpleasant sequences within the film. A lot of the violence and bloodshed within the film is implied rather than graphically portrayed, but Bateman's casual disregard for human life is always evident – never more so than when we see him taking the milk out of a fridge containing the dismembered head of a female victim. Indeed, I would suggest that women might find the film particularly unsettling, as most of Bateman's psychotic tendencies are inflicted upon women he has met in a bar, or prostitutes that he has picked up on the street. Bateman’s vicious sexual appetite is graphically – and often frighteningly portrayed. Additionally, there is a scene early on in the film that intimates the brutal slaying of a homeless man's dog - something that any animal-loving viewers will find more harrowing than any other scene. Partly due to the reputation of the novel, and partly due to the subtle style of the director, I found myself unable to shake off a growing sense of unease that the film would become more and more unpleasant.
However, horror film fans will be disappointed – American Psycho is a slice of social commentary not your standard horror flick. Despite Bateman's apparent wealth and comfort, he openly admits that inside he is an emotional void and has no compassion for those around him at all - an attitude that is indicative of a society driven by greed and financial gain. Bateman's descent into complete madness is catalysed by apparently insignificant events throughout the film. The competition he has with his colleagues over who has the most professional-looking business card; his inability to secure a reservation at New York’s most exclusive restaurants; and his general inability to find someone who listens to him are all recurring factors. Despite the apparent inanity of such things, it is these things that ultimately lead him to murder. Bateman's lack of control in normal life can only be compensated by his sexual and emotional dominance over his victims. Throughout the film Bateman is seen openly admitting his actions to his friends and colleagues in a desperate attempt to draw attention to himself - we are never entirely sure whether these words are merely thoughts, but either way he goes ignored.
Christian Bale's performance is consistently excellent. Physically, Bale's toned porn star’s body is a perfect demonstration of Bateman's obsession with the superficial - from the outset Bateman narrates the film, describing his extensive beauty and exercise regime. Bale plays the straight scenes and the maniac scenes with equal doses of skill, providing a constant stream of pointless references to musicians of the day as he goes about his business of ritual slaughter. There is genuine turmoil within the character, and Bale works hard to show the struggle between the bloodlust and the sense of decency. The supporting cast is equally talented – Reese Witherspoon plays Bateman’s bimbo fiance, and William Dafoe crops up investigating the disappearance of Bateman’s colleague but this is Bale’s film from start to finish.
By the end of the film, I couldn’t help but find the whole thing rather unsatisfying. Whilst I appreciate the intention of the film-maker to confuse the viewer and fail to draw the film to any real conclusion, my first reaction was really one of “Is that it?” Like all the trappings of Bateman’s life, I thought the film was rather pointless – I’m sure there was a message there somewhere, but it was too heavily disguised for me. I also felt that some elements had been introduced into the film and then forgotten – DaFoe’s investigator seems to just drop out of the picture with very little explanation. Whilst I like a film that twists and confuses, this one was perhaps a little too convoluted for it’s own good. It was certainly nothing like I had imagined.
Certificate – 18 Sex/Nudity – scenes of graphic sexual violence, scenes of nudity Violence – frequent, sometimes very strong Language – sexual swear words often crop up Appeal to – fans of Christian Bale (he gets his backside out quite a lot) and would-be pyschopaths Won’t Appeal to – animal lovers or the squeamish
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Very good op, watched the dvd again there the other day and it certainly is a very vilent and entertaining film. I am currently entertaining hte thought that he didnt actually kill everyone, or maybe noone at all - and why did his lawyer call him davis at the end?
weird
Banjo
theo0221 27.01.2002 04:21
I agree with your op.As a matter of fact i was disapointed when i first watched it,espesialy at the end.It shows that rich, famous, and people with "respect" can always get away with certain things!!But can they get away with murders as well???who knows...
theo
Brett Easton Ellis established a reputation as theenfant terribleof American fiction in ... more
the 1980s with his controversial novelLess than Zero, but with the publication ofAmerican Psychohe became established as one of the most notorious and reviled novel...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: A nice critical stab at the greed and shallowness that was the 1980's Disadvantages: Nowhere near as detailed and as enjoyable as the book was, and the ending was a bit unclear
Slim_Lee 06.03.2001 (16.03.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American Psycho (DVD)
Advantages: Christian Bale is superb, film full of suspense and humour within well worked violent scenes. Disadvantages: Apparentely not as true to the book as many would have liked. Horrible 80's soundtrack.
Mercury 23.01.2001 (24.01.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of American Psycho (DVD)
Advantages: Something to watch (and pick holes in) when you're bored Disadvantages: Horror/comedy doesn't work, no depth to the plot, predictable, unbelievable
![American Psycho [2000] [VHS]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/83952334.jpg "American Psycho [2000] [VHS]")
May 6th, 2001
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