Underrated, but could have been a masterpiece

Rating: 7/10 (14 February 2019)

Don't let the fact that it's about a psychopathic serial killer fool you -- It's anything but a slasher flick. You won't know what to make of it once you are done watching. In fact, what the film is really about is hard to pin down. You will feel that you have learned something, but what exactly? Wall Street scum? Rampant narcissism?
As far is the source material is concerned, it's watered down just enough to give it a realistic opportunity of screening in theaters without being tossed outta the window. Keeping such things in mind, I'm confident enough to call it the most faithful adaptation possible without inducing vomit.
This exploratory film treks through so many levels. While it delves into the mind of a psychopath, it also simultaneously manages to somehow represent the ills of modern society on screen. Valuing matter over mind, the empty social consumerism, empty words, empty lives, an empty people. It would make a Wall Street corporate yuppie uncomfortable, while those who are too far gone might just even relate.
The voice-over dialogue adds to the film's already potent thematics, invoking a better look at the psychopath's mind and inner turmoil. The abstractions and confession-like style pays tribute to Wall Street ills. Yet the tongue-in-cheek tone keeps the portrayed social horrors from getting too heavy.
The highlight however is Christian Bale's portrayal of the lead narcissist, Patrick Bateman. There is an intense focus on vanity and appearances involving effeminate morning routines and insistent workouts. The high status he has made for himself provides an eerily effective buffer between his outer appearance and inner turmoils, blending well into his equally shallow peers. A bit too well in fact, unwittingly emphasizing the not-so-stellar performances by the support characters. While Christian Bale's fascinating performance stands well against the rest of the cast, it is hard to tell if he was born to play narcissists and psychopaths or if he butchered the role (no pun intended). The shallowness of his expressions is remarkable, but not particularly terrifying. Whether it was Oscar worthy or not, I leave up to you.
While the film (especially the ending) leaves something to be desired, the pioneering aspect does make up for some of it. Nearly two decades later, the film still feels relevant and will continue alluding to film connoisseurs further still.