Bloody bad

Review: Violent 'American Psycho' detached, disappointing

By Reviewer Paul Clinton

April 14, 2000
Web posted at: 2:57 p.m. EST (1857 GMT)

(CNN) -- "American Psycho" is much ado over not much. This film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel is one long, mediocre metaphor about the greed-driven Reagan era of the 1980s.

The film makes its satirical point early on and then just keeps pointing and pointing and pointing -- usually with a finely manicured fingernail dripping blood.

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Welsh actor Christian Bale stars as Patrick Bateman, a soulless Wall Street nut job in a designer suit who has the emotional depth of a dial tone. He is, in fact, a serial killer. Or is he? Ultimately, it doesn't matter in this highly stylized warning about conformity and commercialism.

Strong visuals, weak emotions

Bateman is utterly immoral, but no one notices because he fits so well within his fractured social landscape. It's a place where business cards are examined like tarot cards, spending habits are flagrant, good suits replace good behavior and whoever has the most toys wins.

Director Mary Harron -- she co-wrote this movie adaptation with actress Guinevere Turner, who also appears in the film as Elizabeth -- insists that "American Psycho" is not a "message" movie. Sorry, that doesn't wash; this flick is so full of message, it should have "Western Union" in the credits.

It doesn't really matter. "American Psycho" is seamless in its inability to engage emotionally, message or no message.

Harron, whose previous effort, "I Shot Andy Warhol," (1996) launched the career of actress Lili Taylor, is adept at creating strong visuals. Bateman's box-like office, his well-appointed, antiseptic apartment and the dreamlike quality in which the streets of New York are portrayed lend themselves well to this fable-like, bloody tale.

Buff body, bloody body

And bloody it is. Most of the hardcore violence involving chain saws, thankfully, takes place off screen. Still, in scene after scene, there's plenty of the red stuff, most of it dripping off Bale's buff, naked body -- a perfect exterior hiding an ugly interior.

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Much has been made about the fact that Bale was first offered this part, only to have had it taken away when Leonard DiCaprio showed interest in the role. Then Leo bowed out and Bale was back in. The international heartthrob's change of heart led to rampant speculation. Too much violence? Too controversial? Would his fans be outraged?

There may be a simpler answer: Maybe Leo didn't want to spend hours and hours pumping iron in a gym. A chiseled, cut body is essential to the plot, so who could blame Mr. Titanic if he decided to sink out of the project?

Regardless of the reason for DiCaprio's departure, Bale is excellent in the role. His upper-class, prep-school accent is perfect as he glides through scene after scene.

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But does anybody really care?

Other questions remain: Beyond its simplistic metaphor about greed in the 80s, does this film have anything to say? More important, is it worth your time and money?

The answer to both: probably not.

"American Psycho" opens nationwide April 14 and is rated R. Running time is 97 minutes.

Bale rates 'American Psycho'
March 30, 2000
'American Psycho' tones it down for 'R' rating
February 29, 2000
Review: 'Glamorama' author too hip for his own good
September 29, 1999

Official Christian Bale Web Site
Official 'American Psycho' film site
Vintage Books

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