unusually fascinating, yet unworthy of the hype

Rating: 8/10 (18 April 2000)

"American Psycho" is a ...good horror movie. But it is not worthy of the hype it got at Sundance. I guess I should be thankful to Lions Gate for releasing the movie uncut in Canada (with an R rating nonetheless). The 'offensive' scene is very graphical, yet it shows even more how much did Bateman love himself.
Christian Bale is stunning as Patrick Bateman, a personality-free and moral-free killer. The man is completely incapable of feeling pleasure, unless he kills someone or he embellishes himself even more. He washes himself extremely thoroughly, not because he is a clean freak, but because it takes time to wash different parts of the body with different kinds of soaps. He uses more lotion cream than a woman, just to have a nice skin. Porn movies have absolutely no effect on him, yet he watches them like someone would watch a regular movie. There is a very funny scene when he talks on the phone with his lover (not girlfriend), and in the background a porn movie is playing on TV, he doesn't even look at it. While having sex with two women, he watches himself on TV (he was videotaping himself) and in the mirror. He is so self absorbed that he doesn't let anyone touch him, unless he wants to. I love the scene when he starts to hate Paul (Jared Leto). His face turns so ugly that he becomes frightening.
The film has some genuinely hysterically funny moments. After becoming jealous on one of firm's partners, he decides to kill him. He goes to the restroom, and gets ready to strangle the guy, but he doesn't get the chance to do it. The 'victim' who was gay and had the hots for Bateman, thinks that his passes are being answered and takes Bateman's hand and kisses it. He is so shocked that he can't find the exit faster. I roared with laughter. Now there was a first. Being gay actually saved the partner's life.

Another character that I cared about was Jean, his secretary. Chloe Sevigny is wonderful in a small role and I felt happy that Bateman didn't kill her.

The script is very well written. I have never read the book, and I have no intention to do so, yet I am very satisfied with the script. The interesting part it is that it is written by two women, capturing a huge amount of the novel's misogyny.
The movie isn't however perfect. The ending is unsatisfactory yet interesting. It is also confusing.
Yet the movie is brilliant, and it is a pity that it will never be a box-office hit.
8/10.