After reading the book, I was expecting the worst - American Psycho was extremely close to an NC-17 rating, with only 2 or 3 seconds cut, and the book was so extremely descriptive and horrific, I wasn't really sure what the movie could possibly be like. Right from the start, you know it's not going to be your typical movie, which it isn't. American Psycho, rather than becoming the typical slasher flick (which it could have done, but at the risk of deviating from the book), is a movie that makes you think.

Set in the 80's when greed and capitalism roamed free, American Psycho stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a young Wall Street exec. He's successful, has a beautiful fiancee (Reese Witherspoon) along with another beautiful woman on the side (Samantha Mathis). He's got a great business card, and an apartment to die for. But he's missing something - a way to let out his agression, a way to relases his anger - he's missing violence, and lots of it. In the day, Bateman is caught up in the world of "mergers and acquisitions," at night, "murders and executions."

It needs to be kept in mind throughout the viewing of this movie that it is a satire, it is based on the book that drew heavy fire from critics, feminists, and almost everyone else when it was published. But in the end, once you put the violence aside, and focus on the character of Patrick Bateman, you realize that it is a satire, and is quite funny at times.

Amerian Psycho has a lot going for it - the acting is top-notch, as relative unknown Christian Bale is spectacular in his role as Bateman. Reese, Smanatha, and Willem Dafoe also turn in great performances that help propel this movie through the blood and gore. The cinematographer also did a great job of keeping us in the 80's - from the scenes in restaurants to apartments, to the 80's music, you won't forget the decade. Director Mary Harron, rather than focusing on the murders, lets the audience do most of the thinking for themselves, and instead focuses on Bateman, his distaste for commercialism and capitalism, and his penchant for murders.

American Psycho also has a lot going against it. It was extremely close to an NC-17 rating, and still remains that way. The movie features a lot of violence, although mainly off-screen, and a lot of blood, mostly on screen. There are defenseless animals that are slaughtered, along with defenseless women. True, it's all in satire, but for the weak-hearted, this might be a little much.

All in all, once you understand what American Psycho is really about, the fact that it isn't a slasher film, the fact that it's a satire first and foremost, you'll enjoy the film. With great direction by Mary Herron and a superb performance by Christian Bale, this adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis' much-loathed book, is true to form and will not disappoint.

Genres: Horror, Drama, Thriller
Rated: R
Runtime: 97 minutes
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