When a film can combine eighties music and horror this writer is in! In fact, when one can say that they get to watch a death scene while bouncing about to the song "Hip To Be Square" by Huey Lewis and the News there is something kind of awesome about the film in my opinion. Granted, there are not many horror films that have soundtracks that make me want to bounce about in my seat, but American Psycho (2000) somehow did just that. The funny part is I can remember when this film came out. I begged my parents to let me see it in theaters. This was one they refused me. My parents did not refuse me many horror films in the theater, but without even seeing it they thought it would be rather strong in content for their fifteen year old. While I would like to think I could have handled watching Christan Bale exercising while watching porn or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), the truth is this is one of those horror films that should have the rated R and the age limit of at least seventeen. There is so much material that seriously blows one's mind that by the end of the film one just sits there shaking their head. A professor of mine at Kennesaw State University told me the book, written by Bret Easton Ellis, was even worse. Morbid curiosity still has me desiring to read the book one day, but I have yet to do so sadly. American Psycho is always a great way to go for Halloween films. To this day I can't help but watch it and wonder how people can be attracted to Patrick Bateman. Personally, he scares the hell out of me. Christian Bale's alter ego Bruce Wayne/Batman on the other hand, I can be attracted to. I suppose that is another article for another day though.
First off, American Psycho is about a man by the name of Patrick Bateman (Bale). He is a well off New York investment banker with an extreme dark side. Somehow instead of revealing himself to people his fantasies and desires take over and he starts committing a string of murders. The entire time he has to deal with those around him and somehow keep everything hidden. He has a brash attitude toward most people, and there are very few people he actually likes in the world. Living the American dream by day, he lives the life of a psychopath by night. While I cannot say if the movie follows the book, I can say that the movie is extremely well written and directed, oddly enough by a woman. This is a fact that I'm not sure most people do not know about the film. The screenplay was written by two females, Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner, and also directed by Harron as well. In cases like this I really do believe that the director/writer connection is the best thing for a feature. American Psycho is also one of the few horror films that can really frighten one in terms of how one person can reek so much havoc on so many other people within society. The idea that there are people out there with such desires, such "blood lusts" is absolutely frightening, which is why American Psycho is one of my favorite horror films to watch. Not to mention there are parts of the film, due in part to soundtrack sometimes, and due in other part to Bale's delivery that appear far funnier than they should be. All good thrillers and horrors have a mixture of comedy so we are not completely afraid of going to bed at night. American Psycho truly does have it all.
In terms of acting, the film has an amazing cast. One would be crazy not to start off speaking of its lead actor, Christian Bale. Bale has been fantastic in every single film role he has ever taken on. His ability to take a character and morph into that person takes pure talent. His portrayal of Patrick Bateman is by far one of his best performances and remains one of my favorites. This is despite the fact he scares the hell out of me in the role. For an actor to be able to takes on such attributes of a character is quite simply fantastic in the simplest of terms. He is the perfect mixtures of psychotic and well-mannered. In many ways this is the way serial killers have been portrayed since Silence of the Lambs (1991). This is not a bad thing by any means, but merely something this writer felt should be pointed out. Another shining star is Chloe Sevigny. She provides a soft and delicate side of the film that most people do not expect in Jean. In fact, Jean is the only person that for some reason Bateman takes true pity on within the film. Maybe this is in part because he knows that she is the only person who really cares about him and gives a damn what happens to him at the end of the day. who really knows, but even though she has brief screen time, Sevigny shines. My other favorite character within the film, because he elicits such a reaction from while in the bathroom. Most people who have seen the film know this writer is talking about Luis Carruthers (Matt Ross). The scene with Ross and Bale in the bathroom where Bateman realizes he must "go return some video tapes" is by far more hilarious and one of my favorite scenes in cinema in general. I just cannot help but love it. Other notable faces within the film are Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Justin Theroux. There roles are just as interesting and entertaining as those mentioned above, but I choose not to focus on them this time.
Overall, American Psycho really makes the viewer think like a lot of horror films have been said not to over the years. The ending alone makes one ponder what he or she just finished watching. There have been many speculations and reports about what the ending means, but in truth everyone is going to come up with their own ideas. There are of course only three people who can really say what the ending means and that Harron, Turner, or Ellis. This writer believes that the debates will always be in tact. The murders in the books are apparently a lot more graphic and even nastier than in the film. One day, I will hopefully be able to make an comparison on whether that is true or not. For now I can only speak on the genius of the film and how everyone who is a true fan of horror owes it to oneself to view American Psycho. American Psycho 2 (2002) can of course be included on one's viewing list, but note that it is not the original. It is no where close, but Mila Kunis plays an hilarious psychopath. In truth, the sequel is more of a cult classic that could be listed on any guilty pleasure list, but still worth a view for a good laugh in my opinion. The only problem is anything and everything that has been debated about the original film and book for years is all trashed during the sequel. Take the film with a grain of salt if one desires to watch said sequel. First and foremost though, go rent American Psycho. After all, if one is as big of a horror fanatic during this month as I am, one already has some video tapes to return.
If you are interested in renting American Psycho, make sure to check out this title through Netflix, your local Austell Blockbuster, Videodrome, Movies Worth Seeing, or movie channels based upon your cable or satellite provider. To purchase any Blu-rays or DVDs mentioned in this review please check out your local Austell Best Buy, Walmart, Target, or Kmart.
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