It's Not Hip To Be Square!

Rating: 8/10 (5 January 2006)

First of all I need to say I did not read the original but watched a masterpiece of a movie.
It's a groundbreaking thrilling movie and outstandingly hilarious at the same time which is definitely its greatest accomplishment.
As you get to know Bateman you discern that on the one hand he's riven by his desire to conform with the rules of high society and its values and on the other hand yearns for leading a meaningful life of individuality. These two conceptions conflict massively causing him to drift into a surreality in which he takes the role of a serial killer who kills preferably young pretty girls.
Gore and violence are now Bateman's compensations for real life values like friendship and love. But as he states repeatedly he feels nothing, is emotionless.
Slaughering his way from carnage to carnage he eventually finds himself more meaningless than ever before as his lawyer, who doesn't even know him by face, mistakes him for somebody else and is not believing his desperate confession.
Bateman's inner conflict, which is by the way one of the most funniest features of the movie, is portrayed outrageously just because it's never intended to be taken much too serious. So it causes you to laugh about Bateman's behavior several times which is not common for that kind of film genre. These exceptions makes that film complete and unique.
One last comment on the actor's performances, let me start with Christian Bale who really fit into that role. He totally impersonated Bateman. Willem Dafoe as a sharp detective who is always ambiguously indicating his doubts about Bateman's innocence, played his part brilliantly too.
A complete movie with little not worth of mentioning flaws which never had a bad effect on the movie itself.
8/10 One of my favorites.