Writer/Director: Mary Harron
Starring: Christian Bale, Jared Leto and Willem Dafoe
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Hollywood that rarely fail are as beloved as Christian Bale. Following his rise to fame during the 1980’s, Bale has proven to be one of the greatest actors in the film industry. A one-of-a-kind actor, Bale has always poured his heart and soul into portraying every character. Whether its stories of caped crusaders, race car drivers or psychotic killers, Bale has often played memorable characters. Arguably, Bale’s greatest strength as an actor is his strong commitment towards playing complex characters in entertainment. Using a commemorated approach of method acting, Bale has often created characters that are fascinating. Through his abilities to create characters that compelling, Bale has managed to build a legacy that’s lasting.
I’m a huge fan of Christian Bale and adore all the films he has made throughout the course of his career. However, “American Psycho” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2000, Mary Harron’s movie found the renowned movie-star playing a psychotic killer. Boasting spellbinding production-design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s an exceptional thriller about the lives of serial killers. Although “American Psycho” is undeniably riveting, it’s not a flawless movie. It builds to an ambiguous conclusion without any satisfying resolution. That being said, it offers strong entertainment that fans of Christian Bale won’t be able to resist.
Based on the famous book, “American Psycho” tells the story of a psychotic killer. Christian Bale embodies Patrick Bateman, a charismatic investment banker. Bateman enjoys following a strict routine everyday that consists of having a bath, putting on moisturizer and taking care of his skin. While it appears that Bateman is a normal person on the surface, he has an ugly secret. Bateman enjoys spending time as a serial killer putting lives in grave danger. However, Bateman’s intentions of keeping his murders a secret are threatened when his cover is blown. Facing a dilemma, Bateman questions whether it’s possible to get away with committing crimes without being caught for his reprehensible actions in America.
Mary Harron is a newcomer towards stories of psychotic killers. Before producing “American Psycho”, Harron had never produced a thriller about serial killers. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt an iconic book about psychotic serial killers, but she pulled it off successfully. Through captivating cinematography, the filmmaker captures the life of a psychotic serial killer committing murders. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as stunning as murders that Patrick seeks to organize. Harron successfully uses montages to capture the life of a banker following a strict routine. Montages enhance the scene in which Patrick engages in his morning routine on a daily basis. Through these montages, the filmmaker captures the hardships serial killers go through. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. However, they work immensely in this movie. Using gorgeous visuals, Harron captures lives of psychotic serial killers that are frightening.
Another strong aspect of “American Psycho” worth discussing is production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is made extremely well. Harron effectively uses the set-design of apartments to capture the lives of serial killers. For instance, Patrick’s apartment is an important setting which plays a crucial role in the movie. Whether it’s the isolated rooms or ominous pictures hanging on walls. Patrick’s apartment showcases his identity as a serial killer. For instance, the apartment setting elevates the murder scene. During this unforgettable scene, Patrick plays music on the radio as he proceeds ot murder Paul Allen in his apartment. Through the unique setting of the apartment, Harron produces a serial killer movie that’s extremely engaging. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. John Cale’s music captures lives of psychotic serial killers. Through strong production-design, Harron captures psychotic killers facing a decline,
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “American Psycho” is an adaptation that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses voice-over narration to capture the mindset of a psychopathic serial killer. Harron’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing the lifestyle of serial killers using voice-over narration. Patrick Bateman narrates his worldviews on life using engrossing voice-over narration. For instance, clever voice-over narration elevates the business card scene. During this strong scene, Patrick showcases jealousy towards his business associate Paul Allen who has a superior business card in a meeting. One acknowledges strong narration giving insight into the mindset of a psychotic serial killer. Voice-over narration is tricky. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” claimed clearly, narration elevates Wall Street movies. As demonstrated by Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption”, narration elevates literary adaptations about redemption. That being said, it works tremendously. Through a sharp screenplay, Harron captures the lives of psychotic serial killers today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Christian Bale delivers one of his greatest performances as Patrick Bateman. Bale achieved appreciation playing traumatized child soldiers in “Empire of the Sun”. With “American Psycho”, however, he took on his first serial killer role. It isn’t easy to embody the larger-than-life personality of a serial killer that commits murders, but Bale succeeds tremendously. With captivating expressions he captures the angst, jealousy and resentment of an investment banker that moonlights as a serial killer. It’s a powerful performance that launched the prosperous career of one of the finest actors working in the film industry today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Christian Bale, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of recognition. Jared Leto is fantastic, capturing the charismatic persona of an investment banker that finds enjoyment in wealthy suits he purchased years ago. Reese Witherspoon is wonderful, capturing the suspicion of Patrick’s lover that suspects he’s up to no good. Finally, Willem Dafoe merits appreciation. As a detective, he brings an air of tension to the movie.
Despite its powerful performances, however, “American Psycho” can’t quite capture lives of serial killers that are psychotic. If there’s one shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a compelling ending. It’s an ambiguous conclusion without a clear resolution. Instead of bringing the film to a satisfying conclusion, it only raises questions about serial killers. Whereas this ambiguous ending elevated Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs”, it feels out of place in this movie. At worst, it suggests that serial killers can get away with committing crimes without any damage. Moreover, the movie’s themes may not appeal to everyone. The film tackles dark themes including capitalism, prostitution and greed which won’t please everyone. Viewers sensitive towards graphic scenes of sexual violence won’t appreciate the movie. The film doesn’t shy away from dark consequences faced by serial killers. Therefore, not everyone would be blown away by “American Psycho”.
Nevertheless, fans of Christian Bale will definitely appreciate “American Psycho” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A captivating serial killer classic, it celebrates an inspiring movie-star whose engaging movies are definitely worth appreciating.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about psychotic serial killers with charismatic personalities committing murders that are catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a one-of-a-kind movie-star that thrives playing evil characters that aren’t always sympathetic committing crimes that are tragic whose timeless movies that haven’t lost the abilities to entertain audiences have built a legacy that’s iconic.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 