A Movie Review: American Psycho (2000)

Oh, American Psycho this is one of those films that very rarely comes along that I just love to review. While horrific, what most people don't realize is how it is really a social commentary on the pressures of society and the stress it puts on certain people. If anything this is a tragic story. Although interestingly strangely among all this it does give birth to a true portrayal of a psychopath. Don't tell me how I know. I simply sense it in the cold gaze that actor Christian Bale gave off. His cool, and often too collected mannerisms. While suave, as I heard one reviewer of this film once say "this Patrick Bateman psychopath could potentially be anyone". And in that moment I felt the truth of that statement. Particularly when an individual would be willing to completely disregard the rules of society or social contracts out of hatred or dispassion with the way of things. Seen like this, this movie holds quite the Horror factor in a detached, psychological way. 

Major highlights of the film that carefully portray the persona of a psychopath are the routines Patrick Bateman subjects himself to on a daily basis. All of this done is a detached manner. Which is why I love this movie, I'm not one to view movies or any Entertainment for that matter as classics or masterpieces but if there ever was one this is one of those. Although in my own words it is simply a movie that can withstand the test of time over this alien, yet at once familiar portrayal of a psychopath.

If you were ever thinking about giving this movie a look. Please, do, it is a story about a young man who is a corporate executive who secretly ends up committing violent acts. Whether this is reality or not is up to you the viewer! Remarkable film that I strongly believe will always hold up. Better yet, by a female director, Mary Harron!

 Patrick Bateman reflecting on his inner turmoil, American Psycho

Standout Performances: Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, Willem Dafoe, and Matt Ross.

Warning: Sexually explicit and contains views of violent acts or suggestions of violent acts.