Leonard Maltin's Rating :
Should be :
IMDB Rating : 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes Rating : 83%
Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis : "If it falls short of the deadly satire of Bret Easton Ellis's novel, American Psycho still finds its own blend of horror and humor, thanks in part to a fittingly creepy performance by Christian Bale."
In his review Leonard says: "Intense adaption of Brent Easton Ellis' 1991 novel makes its satiric points early on, then has nothing to add. Bale gives a dynamic performance in this turgid film."
Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is a vice-president of an investment company owned by his father. He cares about his looks and works to look as good as he can. He seems to have the world at his feet but something is wrong.
His secretary Jean (Chloë Sevigny) keeps track of his work and social engagements. He wants her to wear dresses and high heels. He is not interested in his "supposed fiancee" Evelyn (Reese Witherspoon) talk about wedding plans. She asks him why he bothers to work and he tells her because he wants to fit in.
Patrick is having an affair with Evelyn's drugged up best friend, Courtney, and really doesn't care if she knows. Patrick can talk about social and political issues but it is obvious he doesn't really care.
Paul Allen mistakes Patrick for someone else and has more admired business cards than Patrick. Patrick is not happy. On the way home he brutally kills a homeless man, and then kills his dog. Patrick says the only emotions he has are greed and disgust. he is clearly a psychopath. he is afraid his mask of humanity is going to slip.
Patrick meets Paul for a dinner and then has him back to his apartment. He then cuts him up with an ax in a brutal and bloody scene.
Things start to get bloody and the bodies start to pile up. On the outside Patrick has a beautiful look, but on the inside Patrick is empty.
A tearful Patrick confesses on the phone to his lawyer about all the terrible things he has done, but somehow his life goes on normally. Are these bizarre flashes we have seen just glimpses in to his imagination? maybe he hasn't done any of those gruesome things - or maybe he has. The movie ends with Ronald Reagan talking on TV about Iran-Contra. The only thing that is real is what appears on the outside.
A very dark black comedy movie that is not for all tastes, but this is definitely not a 1 1/2 star movie. Outrageous and over the top but the movie is very well done and Christian Bale is, as always, terrific. This is a movie that many people really like and the 1 1/2 star will keep many potential fans from seeing it. Should have a three star rating with a very strong warning about the violent, brutal content.
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