#tbt American Psycho review

This movie was insane. Christian Bale totally killed it. It truly was bloody good. (See what I did there?)

American Psycho is the type of movie that will get battered by all sorts of rights groups about it's subject material. It's incredibly bloody, violent, and even sexist at times. Yet, if you're able to get past all the gore you can begin to understand that the film isn't glorifying violence and it's not even really about violence. It's about one psycho's crazy impulses and fantasies. It's about a guy who wants to look cool and fit in, and he also is at the mercy of his blood lust. The "protagonist", Patrick Bateman, is a wealthy yuppie Wall Street guy in the late 1980's. He likes working out, money, women, and killing people. Bateman cares only about himself and his personal needs. He only wants to fit in. And murder people. Patrick Bateman isn't a true anti-hero, as some may say. He's not doing despicable things for a worthy or admirable cause. Heck, he's barely likable. He's not Tyler Durden or Travis Bickle. He's just a guy succumbing to his insane urges. The film is based on Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same name. Now, I haven't read the book myself so I don't know if what makes the movie so good is just because of the book. But, I definitely thought that the satire of the 80's and "yuppie" culture was done very well. Director Mary Harron did a terrific job with the whole thing. Even making some parts funny to some extent. What I thought was the best part of the film was Christian Bale's amazing performance. Bale delivers his lines with such a professional vigor, it's scary in a way. He's able to create this self aware psychopath and still seem realistic in a way. I think Christian Bale deserved an Oscar for his role here. There's also some good, but smaller, performances from Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, and Chloe Sevigny. I've heard many people call American Psycho a horror movie or a slasher flick. It's neither, but it has elements of both. The film is more of a character study and satire. I mostly enjoyed American Psycho and thought it did so many things well. Although all the blood and harsh violence may turn off some, in the end it's a very good movie. Christian Bale's performance alone is enough to make up for the film's flaws. So, in the end, I'd recommend it. As always, Happy Viewing! You can follow me on Twitter @WhitsMovies and like me on Facebook at Facebook.com/WhitsMovies!