American Psycho

AMERICAN PSYCHO (18)

D: Mary Harron

Lionsgate/Muse (Edward R. Pressman, Chris Hanley, Christian Hanley Solomon)

USA/Canada 🇺🇸🇨🇦 2000

101 mins

Horror/Thriller

W: Mary Harron & Guinevere Turner [based on the novel by Brett Easton Ellis]

DP: Andrzej Sekula

Ed: Andrew Marcus

Mus: John Cale

PD: Gideon Ponte

Christian Bale (Patrick Bateman), Willem Dafoe (Donald Kimball), Jared Leto (Paul Allen), Reese Witherspoon (Evelyn Williams), Samantha Mathis (Courtney Rawlinson), Chloe Sevigny (Jean)

It's usually advisory that films and their original source material are considered on their own merits, but when it comes to works like American Psycho, it's practically impossible not to compare.

This adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis' cult novel loses much of the sadistic black humour which made it a compelling read but doesn't do a bad job bringing to screen what must have been a difficult book to adapt due to its violent content, some of which just wouldn't have been able to film simply because it was too far over the line of bad taste.

Christian Bale is fantastic as Patrick Bateman, a successful Wall Street broker who descends into psychosis as a result of his unhealthy obsessions.

A satire on consumerism, greed and promiscuity which shouldn't be taken altogether too seriously. The whole thing is the sick fantasy of a madman.

6/10

Did You Know:

During production, Christian Bale followed the morning routine that his character Patrick Bateman describes toward the beginning of the film.

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 2 (Best Actor in a Leading Role; Best Horror Movie)

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OTHER WINS:

ACCA (Best Actor); Chlotrudis Awards (Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay); International Horror Guild (Best Movie)