A Masterpiece of American Psycho-drama

Rating: Null/10 (14 April 2000)

Patrick Bateman is no ordinary man.
This becomes readily apparent through the voice-over description that Bateman gives the audience as he begins his early morning routine of hygiene and calisthenics. However, the particularly poignant line of this exposition is, "There is no real sense of Patrick Bateman at all."
While critics have said that the film is not nearly as violent as the novel (and this may be true, seeing as this reviewer has not yet read Ellis' book), there's violence, gore, and sexual depravity aplenty in American Psycho.
As the film continues, Bateman's world begins to blur. The line, "I believe that my mask of sanity is beginning to slip," speaks volumes about what will occur during the next hour and a half or so.
Bateman's very existence seems to be one of complete madness, a true psychotic outlook. Also, while talking to friends, or other people, Bateman will spew out the most vile epithets of death and serial murder, all to the surprising complacency of the yuppies that should be mortified by such statements. While having drinks with a business rival, Bateman nonchalantly says, "I enjoy dissecting girls. I'm utterly insane, you know." This elicits no response.
The closest film I can relate this to is last year's The Talented Mr. Ripley. However, what Matt Damon's Oscar snub lacked is what this film had in spades: Humor.
American Psycho is chock full of the darkest comedy around. When asked what he does, Bateman answers, "I'm into murders and executions mostly" (a pun derived from his true profession, "mergers and acquisitions").
I personally don't care if the Oscars are about a year off. Christian Bale is delightfully wicked in this piece, and unless another actor can convince me otherwise in the next eleven months, my vote is for this young actor to walk away with the golden statue in 2001.
For those of you who can analyze the finer points of storytelling, you're in for a real treat. Near the end of the film it becomes difficult to ascertain just what is real and what is imagined, what is atrocity and what is fantasy, what is Patrick Bateman and what is not.
See this film, and leave your own perceptions of reality at the door.