Movie or audience?

Rating: 7/10 (21 April 2000)

I think "American Psycho" will succeed because repeat viewers will go to the film to watch premier viewers for their reactions to the shocks, ranging from loud and clear racism, sexism, homophobia and oozing violence. This is a phenomenon familiar to fans of the "Halloween" genre. My showing began with a young 20-something couple walking out after the characters made some nasty remarks about a Jewish colleague. (Later, I was happy for them. They might have needed resuscitation if they had stayed.)
Actually, after observing the many under-30's at the showing I attended, I understood that the dark humor about 1980's Manhattan was wasted on them. They seemed to react to the graphic violence, but they did not laugh at all. Perhaps these times are too similar for them to those in the film?
I lived in Manhattan during the period of the movie. I was frequently embarrassed by my own lonely laughter during the film. I was getting Ted Bundy looks myself after a while. It was worth the humiliation. I really did enjoy most of it.
As a film, however, it seemed to get sloppy at its end. Without revealing any details, I would say that the film seemed to lose it edgy pace and meticulous style in its last ten or fifteen minutes. I will recommend the film very carefully to certain friends.