Not To Be Judged By Its Cover

Rating: 9/10 (25 January 2006)

Before acclaimed author Brett Easton Ellis had even published "American Psycho" in 1992, the novel had generated great controversy, receiving heated protest from women's groups and death threats against Ellis. It's no surprise, then, that it was adapted to film less than ten years later, complete with rather graphic allusions to all sorts of sordid acts. What may come as a surprise, however, is that it also bore an edgy sense of intelligence, one that would perhaps further horrify some viewers, but nonetheless prove provocative.
Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is, in many respects, the perfect American man. He is 27 years old, in fabulous physical shape, he is handsome and intellectual and successful; he shares a Vice Presidency at a very important business on Wall Street. He has a fiancé, is well respected and well off. His only flaw, aside from a conditioned obsession with self-image, is that for reasons decidedly undefined, he is absolutely, irreparably, violently insane. Said insanity becomes increasingly evident over the course of the film, illustrated by Bateman's frequent surreal sex romps and horrific butcherings, for which he feels next to no remorse.
The film's deceptively simplistic title and premise perhaps deliberately sell it short as a senseless gore-fest. "American Psycho" is, quite simply, more than that. It is a challenge, a threat, a spit in the face of a society that promotes anti-individualism and bland conformity in the egotistical pursuit of a presupposed perfect existence, while accommodating brutal acts and sick attitudes of all kinds. Sure it's disturbing, sure it's offensive, but it's also the best dark satire of American culture since "Fight Club", and it is damn proud of it.
For this, we have two very important people to thank. The first is director Mary Harron, whose perceptive vision saw this project from potential catastrophe to a level for more intelligent and meaningful. Harron's take on the twisted story is considered and appropriate, delighting in subtle mockery but carrying a more serious agenda as well. She expertly intersperses horror and comedy, while managing to steer clear of anything gratuitous or cheap.
The second hero of the piece is star Christian Bale. With expressed interest in the lead part from the likes of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, some might have considered sticking with the lesser known Bale as a risk. They may have been right, but one thing's for sure; he was the perfect man for the job. He is sensational, superb, sublime and any other alliterate praise there is. His perfect rendering of a character forced to fake almost every facet of humanity, an effectual vacuum of emotion is by and large the most intriguing thing about the film. His uncanny ability to make the horrific humorous cements the viewers' interest in what might otherwise repel them; a terrific performance from Bale that illustrates a talent only hinted at in some of his later, more mainstream work like "Batman Begins".
For those who prefer their laughs guiltless, or their interest not bordering quite so much on disgust, then perhaps "American Psycho" is not for you. It's no secret that depictions of brutal violence and sickening themes don't hit the top at the box office. But an open mind goes a long way in the world of film, and it is controversial pictures like this one that continue to remind us why.