A wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic f... Read allA wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.A wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.
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- 7 wins & 11 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'American Psycho' is a provocative film exploring consumerism and identity. Christian Bale's chilling performance as Patrick Bateman is highly praised. The film's dark humor and social commentary effectively critique 1980s yuppie culture. Its unsettling atmosphere is enhanced by stylish visuals and a haunting score. The supporting cast, including Willem Dafoe and Reese Witherspoon, contributes effectively, though some feel underutilized. The ambiguous nature of Bateman's actions adds to the film's disturbing impact.
Featured reviews
Having read the novel by Easton-Ellis a year ago I was intrigued to find out how it could be made into a movie.
Whilst turned off by the totally uneccesary details of Batemans crimes in the book, I felt that Easton's insight into superficial 80's yuppie culture made it a classic.
Who could play a credible Bateman? Leonardo Di Caprio? I think not.
How would Mary Harron deal with those controversial torture scenes?
What we got was one of the finest movies I have seen for some time. Of course, those of closed minds will slate this film without even bothering to see it, simply because of the book's notoriety.
I was impressed to see how closely Harron followed the book, replacing the un-filmable seens with suggestion, aka ear-cutting scene from resevior dogs, so that you believe you have seen more than you have. There are more parallels with Tarantino, such as the use of classic (& non classic ) 80's pop to create a stylised feel to the movie, that has not been seen since Pulp Fiction.
Casting was superb, with Cristian Bale giving the performance of a lifetime, We, the audience, saw the souless monster within, Batemans superficial aquaintences, saw another faceless human being.
Just like the book, you are never sure wether Batemans crimes are real, or just imaginary, but his slide into insanity is clearly real and paced expertly by Bale.
Rheese Witherspoon as Evelyn was disappointing, "Election" showed what a great actress she is and although this role called for an airhead performance, it was clear that she was cruising.
Mary Harron deserves the credit for creating an excellent film, that could have so easily been just another slasher movie.
Whilst turned off by the totally uneccesary details of Batemans crimes in the book, I felt that Easton's insight into superficial 80's yuppie culture made it a classic.
Who could play a credible Bateman? Leonardo Di Caprio? I think not.
How would Mary Harron deal with those controversial torture scenes?
What we got was one of the finest movies I have seen for some time. Of course, those of closed minds will slate this film without even bothering to see it, simply because of the book's notoriety.
I was impressed to see how closely Harron followed the book, replacing the un-filmable seens with suggestion, aka ear-cutting scene from resevior dogs, so that you believe you have seen more than you have. There are more parallels with Tarantino, such as the use of classic (& non classic ) 80's pop to create a stylised feel to the movie, that has not been seen since Pulp Fiction.
Casting was superb, with Cristian Bale giving the performance of a lifetime, We, the audience, saw the souless monster within, Batemans superficial aquaintences, saw another faceless human being.
Just like the book, you are never sure wether Batemans crimes are real, or just imaginary, but his slide into insanity is clearly real and paced expertly by Bale.
Rheese Witherspoon as Evelyn was disappointing, "Election" showed what a great actress she is and although this role called for an airhead performance, it was clear that she was cruising.
Mary Harron deserves the credit for creating an excellent film, that could have so easily been just another slasher movie.
A very funny horror flick. A worthy companion piece to its literary roots. A phenomenal, fearless performance by Christian Bale that, in a way, cleared up my questions about this versatile British actor. I could never quite warm up to him. Not even in "Little Women". Now, Bale as Patrick Bateman, revealed the reason. It is the cruelty around his mouth. His smiles are chilling and they work to perfection in this, his yuppie modern monster.His actions have the pristine shallowness of his business cards and the disgusting taste of his self awareness. You don't feel sorry for him, the way one did for Norman Bates. No, his character is unredeemable. His rough sex with two women while he rides one of them looking at himself in the mirror is one of the most disturbing film moments I've ever seen. I wonder if Bale will ever be able to play goodness, convincingly.
By the end, I didn't know what to make of it, but now I understand the film much better. This film is must viewing, it brings out the truth about today's world - Nothing but material values matter, we live empty lives, we think empty thoughts, we are empty people, life is boring.
Christian Bale is awesome, quality acting! Willem Dafoe was underused, I didn't think the support cast had the same quality material as Bale.
The photography is stylish, very 80s gloss!
The direction is terrific, wonderful camera work.
Overall, see it, it's satire, black comedy, social commentary and more!
Christian Bale is awesome, quality acting! Willem Dafoe was underused, I didn't think the support cast had the same quality material as Bale.
The photography is stylish, very 80s gloss!
The direction is terrific, wonderful camera work.
Overall, see it, it's satire, black comedy, social commentary and more!
"This is, so to speak, a base" :)
But seriously, without all these jokes, then you and I have a very high-quality work directed by Mary Harron with the wonderful Christian Bale in the title role, which I consider one of the best in his career.
The film is clearly not for the faint of heart, there are tough scenes in it, but it's no secret to anyone, even the title should already inspire) This film is not the easiest to perceive satire on our society.
The image of the protagonist/antagonist of the film (Patrick Bateman) was taken by many as ideal. Naturally, not mentally, but externally. After all, Bale's character looks really exemplary for a man.
The narration lasts slowly, but it is quite interesting. I think that movie lovers should definitely watch this work.
But seriously, without all these jokes, then you and I have a very high-quality work directed by Mary Harron with the wonderful Christian Bale in the title role, which I consider one of the best in his career.
The film is clearly not for the faint of heart, there are tough scenes in it, but it's no secret to anyone, even the title should already inspire) This film is not the easiest to perceive satire on our society.
The image of the protagonist/antagonist of the film (Patrick Bateman) was taken by many as ideal. Naturally, not mentally, but externally. After all, Bale's character looks really exemplary for a man.
The narration lasts slowly, but it is quite interesting. I think that movie lovers should definitely watch this work.
10atzimo
'American Psycho' is NOT a slasher movie. It is a depiction, a fantasy if you will, of the life of modern man and his place in society.
Nothing is enough. Money, sex, social stature, there is always someone else who has more and everyone else expect from you to try harder for even more.
This movie is about eliminating competition the easy way. By killing your opponents. By eating your sexual partners. By destroying everyone around you.
'American Psycho' retains the balance between this psychotic state, a chilling thriller and a very funny movie.
The scenes that show Patrick playing music for his guests are absolutely hilarious, as he comments very seriously on records by artists such as Whitney Houston, Phil Collins and Huey Lewis & the News. The funny thing is that he chooses the most commercial or sold out records of these artists, to explain how much better they are compared to their previous, more artistic work. Another message of the state of the receivers of commercial art.
You can analyze 'American Psycho' for hours. It can be perceived both as a deep and a fun movie. Even if you don't like the story, you will love Christian Bale's excellent performance.
Enjoy.
10/10
Nothing is enough. Money, sex, social stature, there is always someone else who has more and everyone else expect from you to try harder for even more.
This movie is about eliminating competition the easy way. By killing your opponents. By eating your sexual partners. By destroying everyone around you.
'American Psycho' retains the balance between this psychotic state, a chilling thriller and a very funny movie.
The scenes that show Patrick playing music for his guests are absolutely hilarious, as he comments very seriously on records by artists such as Whitney Houston, Phil Collins and Huey Lewis & the News. The funny thing is that he chooses the most commercial or sold out records of these artists, to explain how much better they are compared to their previous, more artistic work. Another message of the state of the receivers of commercial art.
You can analyze 'American Psycho' for hours. It can be perceived both as a deep and a fun movie. Even if you don't like the story, you will love Christian Bale's excellent performance.
Enjoy.
10/10
Did you know
- TriviaThe single biggest cost on the film was purchasing the rights to the various songs used throughout.
- Goofs(at around 1h 21 mins) During Patrick's killing spree towards the end of the movie, when he is running between the two nearly-identical buildings, a Canadian flag is intermittently visible flapping out from behind the building on the left, revealing that this scene was shot in the Toronto-Dominion Plaza, not in New York.
- Quotes
[Recurring line]
Patrick Bateman: I have to return some videotapes.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits are accompanied by what appear to be drops of blood, but these become portions of sauce.
- Alternate versionsFor the US theatrical release, director Mary Harron had to edit the following two scenes (which are available on the unrated edition) in order to receive an R-rating from the MPAA:
- The word "asshole" in the line, "Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole" was changed to just "ass".
- The threesome during the same scene was trimmed several seconds.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: The Beach/Snow Day/Holy Smoke (2000)
- SoundtracksTrue Faith
Written by Peter Hook, Stephen Hague, Gillian Gilbert, Bernard Sumner & Stephen Morris
Performed by New Order
Courtesy of Warner Music U.K. Ltd.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products, Universal Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music,
Inc.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Psicópata americano
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $7,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $15,070,285
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,961,015
- Apr 16, 2000
- Gross worldwide
- $34,266,679
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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