American Psycho

Movie Name: American Psycho

Year of Release: 2000

Director: Mary Harron

Stars: Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, Chloe Sevigny, Josh Lucas, Matt Ross, Willem Dafoe, Bill Sage, Cara Seymour, Guinevere Turner, Samantha Mathis

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis & Review:

When "American Psycho" premiered in 2000, it was finally the dawn for a project that saw many directors and stars attached (Oliver Stone and Leonardo DiCaprio were at some point attached to the project). The film was the second directorial effort for director Mary Herron, following the celebrated "I Shot Andy Warhol", which premiered in 1996. The film is an adaptation of the controversial book by Bret Easton Ellis and follows the story of Patrick Bateman, a young and well off professional. He works in Wall Street, though he's more focused on looking perfectly sculpted, being seen at the right spots (restaurants and clubs), and hanging out with his equally superficial friends. He has a fiancee, though he's also involved with other women, but beyond all this, he's got a dark side he fears is getting out of control. Patrick has a bloodlust, that starts escalating, and that threatens to overtake his entire life.
Mary Harron is a very interesting director, who has tackled stories where the focus is definitely on anti-heroes, and people who choose to make their own rules and lead unique lives. That was the case of Valerie Solanas (her focus of "I Shot Andy Warhol"), and also Bettie Page (her focus on "The Notorius Bettie Page"). "American Psycho" has the intelligence to take Bret Easton Ellis' blood drenched story, and adapts it in a way where the character doesn't really know if the things he's doing are actually real or not. The monster within Patrick, which he so carefully hides away behind a beautiful facade, doesn't come out only when his blood lust is unleashed - it can also be noticed by his continuous lack of emotions. The character is perfectly embodied by Christian Bale, who finally got a role that finally showcased his enormous talent. A good film always worth revisiting.