Bateman is the only sane character.

Rating: 7/10 (23 January 2007)

The novel, by Bret Easton Ellis, of which this film is based on is outstanding. Horrorific, darkly funny and completely entrapping it is a modern classic, and a great statement about the yuppie culture - so I had high standards for this film.
Bale as Bateman was not how I envisioned the character, despite being a Bale fan I probably would have said he was mis-cast. Although he gets the charismatic and yuppie side of Bateman down to a t, the dark psychotic and broody side of Bateman is portrayed in the same over-acted manner.
The film, thank god, does not choose to 'Hollywood' the novel, with the viewer still being left with an ambiguous ending, in which one must decide how much of the events actually happened and what was in Bateman's fantasy or delirium, it is never clear as it is both hinted at the he did everything and nothing - which is great. By doing this the film manages to portray the book's clear statement on reasons and not the means.
Interestingly, despite being called 'Psycho' the film manages to portray one of the book's best factors - the interesting point that perhaps in Bateman is the only sane man. In the Yuppie culture and circles Bateman runs with, he is the only one with enough self-awareness to realise that the life they live is hollow, meaningless and futile - thus creating his blood lust.
This film scratches the surface at what the book means and is no where near as dark, but for a 100 minute film it succeeds far more than I thought it would. Bale makes an admirable effort, and yet despite the flicks clear downfalls, there lies a enthralling and thought provoking film.