Clever, witty sub-slasher which explores the perils of obsession, fantasy and reality.

Rating: 10/10 (30 August 2002)

American Psycho is an excellent adaption of an excellent book. It really couldn't be better. It doesn't try to be a comedy but some of the scenes manage to be very funny. (The Paul Allen murder scene is a riot.)
Christian Bale's portrayal of a self-obsessed, jealous, competitive man, Patrick Bateman, is excellent and Oscar worthy. Willem Dafoe could have been used more but does well for his small part and it's a change to see him playing a good guy. It's good to see Jared Leto break away from teen-movies onto more serious roles and is terrific as the intelligent, but stupid Paul Allen. Chloe Sevigny gives a very humane performance as Bateman's secretary, Jean. Reese Witherspoon is disappointing as the bitchy character (which she always plays) Evelyn. That concludes the acting.
The most unexpected thing about the film is the way it toned down on the books violence and capitalised on the books humour. Many of the lines that the characters deliver are effortlessly amusing. Bateman seems to always say, `I have to return some video-tapes' to get out of a sticky situation. `We saw a musical. O Africa Brave Africa It was a riot'. `I'm trying to listen to the new Robert Palmer tape, but my fiancée Evelyn keeps buzzing in my ear'. The way it pokes fun at wealthy snobs (Stash, even though he was a mute, was hilarious). I liked the way Bateman waffled on about Huey Lewis and The News before decapitating someone. Or Whitney Houston while 2 lesbians make out like there's no tomorrow. Watch out for the scene with the business cards.
The film has a very confusing ending, which isn't exactly justified. Overall this is the most intelligent serial killer movie I've seen in a long time. 8.1 out of 10.