|
American Psycho
|
 |
Release
Date: 21st April 2000
Distributor: Entertainment Films
Certificate: 18
Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe,
Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Samantha Mathis, Matt Ross, Bill Sage, Chloe Sevigny, Reese Witherspoon
Director: Mary
Harron
Running Time:
101
mins
|
| One
of the last of the "un-filmable books" finally makes it to the
big screen, and you can instantly see why Hollywood deemed it thus. Adapted
from Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel of the same name, American Psycho follows
the first person perspective of one Patrick Bateman. |
| A yuppie
in true 80's style, Bateman personifies all that was wrong with that particular
decade, greed, envy, jealousy, well you know the score Bateman is a Wall
Street broker, who likes nothing better than buying clothes, working out
and eating in the most exclusive restaurants in New York. Oh yeah, he is
also rather partial to violently butchering just about anything that moves. |
| After
a rather major public falling out with the studio over who should play Bateman,
(the studio wanted Leo DiCaprio to play the role, offering him $20 million
to do so), director Mary Hannon, (I shot Andy Warhol), eventually got her
psycho of choice Christian Bale. You may recognise the name, as Bale was
the main boy in Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun', but you sure as hell won'
recognise him in this movie, as he's grown up into a complete nut case. |
| The
book was criticised for having a thin (if any at all) plot, and senseless
violence The film then could be tried for the same crime, but like the
book it works, and it works to chilling effect, with some true moments of
terror awaiting the audience. OBuena Vista Internationalously those of you who have read the book
know that most of it can't make it to the screen, as it is just way too
violent, but what does make it up there is sickeningly realistic and surreal.
The cast is competent and Bale really does frighten as Bateman, and Harron
directs with a slick and cool visual style, leaving you wondering whether
or not Bateman is an anti-hero or just an antichrist |
