Let's sort this out, once and for all

Rating: 7/10 (18 December 2001)

I have read many comments regarding this film. Like The Shining (1980), people are divided in their opinion of this film. Let's look at the usual comments and deconstruct them:
(POSSIBLE SPOILERS)
1=HOLLOW AND NO PLOT= That's the point of the film! It shows the eighties for what it really was, hollow and flat. If there was a plot, then we would not be able to make sense of this movie, it's more like a diary.
2=UNNECESSARY VIOLENCE= That is the worst thing that one can accuse this film of. The violence was there for two reasons: to distract you from Bateman's boring yuppie life and to show how everybody else is wrapped up in their own lives to notice anything. ie nobody answering the door when Bateman chases the prostitute with chainsaw.
3=NOT ENOUGH BLOOD AND GORE= As I stated in my previous review of this film, this isn't a slasher film. It is an intelligent, and hillarious look at eighties culture. If you want a slasher film, I recommend Friday the 13th movies.
4=WHAT WAS THAT ENDING ABOUT?= The biggest cause for debate. Bateman didn't kill anybody during this film. It was all in his head. He clearly is disturbed, but couldn't carry out a killing to save his life. That's why, almost, all of the killings go unnoticed.
If, after reading this, you are still not convinced, then read the book by Bret Easton Ellis. After reading it, watch the film wit all this in mind.