Watered Down

Rating: 7/10 (10 June 2012)

Of course, when watching the movie it is almost unavoidable that you compare it to Bret Easton Ellis's classic novel of the same name. Having been truly horrified by the disturbing yet entrancing mind of Bateman in the book, I watched the movie expecting incredible things. Somehow, in an intangible way, the movie just didn't sit well with me.
As an individual film, it can claim to be something of a flawed masterpiece, a dive into the deep end of the human psyche and the nature of morality. Add in a dash of the theme of empty materialism, and you have a movie that should not soon be forgotten. A memorable performance from Bale, as he flies between flamboyant charmer to dead eyed murderer and everything in between, I don't think another actor could have done a better job. Add a slew of great supporting actors, including a surprisingly decent turn from Jared Leto (whom I normally avoid at all costs)and you have the makings of a classic.
However, the movies somehow just can't live up the mastery of the novel, and the seemingly random switches between Bateman's abstract thoughts and his terrifyingly intimate descriptions of his murders just don't seem to flow here. Also, the movie never lived up to the true disgust created in the novel.