A Perfect Allegory of American Greed & Mentality

Rating: 9/10 (21 December 2001)

*Caution-Some potential spoilers ahead* Rarely has a motion picture aimed to capture the essence of its subject, and succeed so well. Christian Bale in AMERICAN PYSCHO nails this one to the wall, if you'll pardon the expression.

The main focus is the opulent, orgiastic greed of the 1980's, although it could be any real place in present time, as well. Bale portrays Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street broker on the verge of going insane. Bateman's world of picture-perfect world of defoliating skin creams and two o'clock tanning appointments; hides the facade of a man who is not there, nothing, except for his continuing spiral into the abyss.
The reality of his world, which really comes down to one-upsmanship among his cronies and his social circle; who don't listen or care about each other, anyway. The nothingness of it grows to the point Bateman cannot return, with hellish consequences for those unfortunate to be in his path.

AMERICAN PSYCHO is a well-crafted film, with extremely quirky bits of humor and is well-acted. Highly recommended.