Psycho alone isn't all that

Rating: 2/10 (15 January 2001)

The first five minutes of this movie summarise 90% of it. A bunch of people talking pointlessly about nothing special. The worst were the commentaries on 80's music during supposedly key scenes. Christian Bale does a fine acting job with the material he is given, and if you enjoy an actor doing the best with weak material, particularly when he has a well-maintained body that is shown off a fair amount, there may still be something to look for here. Put him in a suit and have him yammer endlessly and I'd confuse him with other faceless drones just like some in the movie do.
But this movie really isn't all that, it isn't that shocking or disturbing, and we never even really get to know any of the characters... especially the lead. Frankly I know more interestingly psychotic people in my everyday life, though as far as I know none of them have killed. The most interesting person in the movie to me was the guy's assistant, and halfway through the movie discovered I'd much rather hear her story.
I've heard some say they don't like how this movie ended. I liked the ending just fine: The credits rolled, I put my hands in the air and said 'Thank God it's over!' and turned it off. Not the worst movie I've seen I'm sure, but seemingly the longest 1:43 minute movie ever. Maybe if Mr. Bale had shown off his well-sculpted form throughout the whole feature it would have been worth a few more stars.
It does bug me though -- why do so many directors think that mental illness and having a character exercising in the nude go so well together? At least a half-dozen movies right off have used that connection. So you out there, if you've recently found yourself doing your morning stretches in the nude, get some therapy before its too late!!! :-)