Very different from the book, but just as great

Rating: 9/10 (12 July 2004)

When I first saw American Psycho, I didn't like it. It wasn't because it was poorly made or anything, it was just wildly different from what I was expecting. A couple years after seeing it, I gave it a second chance and thought it was a near masterpiece.
While the book was great in pushing the limits and seeing how far it could go in the extremities of violence, this was more toned down and focused on the psychological aspect rather than the violent aspects.
This film does great in balancing the disturbing imagery and attitude with the black humor of the 80's yuppie scene.
WARNING: THIS PARAGRAPH CONTAINS SPOILERS It took me a while to like the ending, because when I first saw it I was completely confused, because it made no sense at the time. But when I look at it now, I like that on a level it changes the entire film. It suggests two things, 1) That he is not Patrick Bateman, that he took his identity like he did with Paul Allen. 2) That the entire film was a figment of his imagination. The fact that he's not able to be caught is his own personal hell. This would also explain why when he would admit to people that he had killed people no one either took it seriously or they ignored it all together. These are the kind of endings in a film that I like, ones that completely changes your perception of the film that you just finished watching.
All in all, even though the book and film are different in tone, both are equally excellent in there own way. I give the film what I'd give the book, 9/10.