American Psycho (film): seriously fun thriller
Having seen this film multiple times and read the book it is difficult for me to imagine that the casting director's other options for the lead role were Johnny Depp and Leo DiCaprio. Thank goodness that didn't happen as I can't really imagine anyone other than Bale in the lead.
Despite the fact that Christian Bale has been an actor his entire life, he was relatively unknown in the year 2000. This is why other, bigger stars were being considered. If you have only seen Bale as Batman, you really should get in there and see this "black comedy horror" film where he basically plays the opposite of Batman.
Bale plays Patrick Bateman (that's right, "Bateman"), a very successful Wall Street investor with a few, how do i say this... issues. He is obsessive about most things in his life, doing odd things such as go back to the locker room before working out at the gym to apply more mousse because his hair isn't "just perfect." He obsesses over the fact that one of his coworkers has slightly nicer business cards than he does, and of course he really really like Huey Lewis and the News.
I don't want to be one of those guys that says "the book was so much better!" because I hate those guys. I tend to agree with Jim Gaffigan when he says "You know what i liked about the movie more than the book? No reading."
However, i felt as though the film was a close enough facsimile of the book that even the most dedicated fans would really struggle to find fault with it.
Other than Empire of the Sun, this is the first movie i really recall seeing Bale. It may have been what launched his career and eventually landed him the role as Batman. I thought it was a bit strange to have comic relief in a movie this dark but to be honest, i really works. Oh, the film is quite graphic so don't watch it with the kids around or your parents around if you are a kid.
I can find no fault with this movie and provided you are not turned off by ultra-violence (and there is plenty of it inside American Psycho) I think you will like it
"comic relief in a movie this dark"
I think that's the best thing about it, the satire of corporate America, in which having a perfect business card and and a perfect haircut really are not much different than committing murder. All are techniques of getting to the top of the status hierarchy, which is what matters, and what matters even more is that others see you that way. Reality doesn't matter, only perception. This movie captures that sense of dazed and confused unreality.
I also loved the musical version, with former Doctor Who, Matt Smith, as Patrick Bateman, because, given that it was a musical, it was more vein, more camp, and even more humorous.
Still, Christian Bateman's sheer intensity, his greatest quality as an actor, hugely enhances the humor of this movie. It is hilarious that someone so intense can be so damn serious about such petty stuff as cards and haircuts, and it is also hilarious that someone so intense can be so lost. Not only is his morality blurred, but, as in the book, even his sense of reality. I suspect he's better than DiCaprio would have been, as DiCaprio, while a great actor, is not naturally wound so tight.
I saw Huey Lewis live back in 2013, and all I could think of was Patrick Bateman. :)
where are your blogs brother?. seriously... you are so much better than me.
The greatest quality of a critic is being true to your gut, and you do that better than anybody. I am prone to being guided by the herd.
And fear. I prefer to follow than to lead. But I will try to be bold lol.
A scandal broke out around this film. Peaceful spectators and critics grumbled that the film propagandizes violence and protects the rights of maniacs. When the tape was just getting ready for filming, and you're right, Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was assigned to the project. But after numerous persuasions (and dissuaded him almost all, so that he did not spoil his image and career unnecessary associations), he dropped out, after which in his place was adopted by Christian Charles Philip Bale (at that time, not having special box office successes).
At first glance at the film, many viewers will really be a bit uncomfortable and can be understood: unmotivated (more precisely, weakly motivated) and naturalistic cruelty, pouring out onto the screen into a whole lot of bloody episodes, which, in essence, are united only by the protagonist, the characters themselves with each other almost unrelated. This action can not adequately be taken by anyone, and who needs it.
But if you are still strong nerves and you are not annoyed by the protagonist (which is more like an anti-hero), then you should see this film to the end, because under the guise of a psychological thriller there is a very peculiar satire on our society with you, obsessed with external attractiveness and absolutely forgotten about what's inside. This film from others differs also in that here the director does not justify and does not humanise Patrick Bateman. He did not have a difficult childhood, there were no traumas and revenge, he also did not seek. He simply could not live in this world, where you could reveal your inner world only to someone you are going to kill in the next minute, so that he does not tell the competitors about it. The world is cruel.
American Psycho is a terrific psychological thriller with a huge satirical overtones, which probably will not be noticed, since either you will spit on the local protagonist and express your dissatisfaction with watching the film, or get into this story and also think about the same society we live and whether the maniac, overwhelmed by fierce hatred, possessing a respectable life is simply a maniac. Or is he a victim of this very society?
This movie is so disturbing ... in a good way in the sense that it gives you an adrenaline rush. The scene where he kills Jared Leto with a rain coat on ... GOT DAMNNN NO MERCY!!!! Outstanding performance, Christian Bale is truly amongst the greats!!!
Hiii...gooddream
Great Post with perfect review like Always.
yo dude. you have the same response to everything... every day. Contribute in a meaningful way or say nothing. I will flag you in the future.
plz upvote my post plz help
I really loved this movie too. I too had seen Bale as Batman first so yes this was refreshing but then I had always loved him for the good actor that he is.
American Psycho is mine and people all over the World choice and evergreen film in Hollywood Film History .Till now American Psycho 2 i have seen Awaiting for third series eagerly ,not mine but peoples choice. One more thing I the people of earth feel bad for not winning Oscar but now We Vote for American Psycho as the best Motion Picture in the World after Titanic and Avatar .And also We nominate American Psycho as Best motion of 2018 Academy Awards Winner list. It`s better to go with People Choice,Oscar .I believe you wont be that worst Stupid to go against People. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)
I think you are little harsh on Leo and Jhonny Depp Gooddream. Leo proved with jango unchained he can play a emotionless psycho just right.(Dont forget that dinner scene where he cut his hand that scene alone is a perfect example of he can pull this movie easly). And Jhonny proved it with Black Mass (If any of you didn't watch it, go watch it). He reminds us with Whitey Bulger role, he got a lot of range.
Black Mass is great. i'll put that out there soon, but speaking of mass....I don't think Depp or Dicaprio are big enough to really be intimidating in the way that Bale is.
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One of those crazy movies you hate to love. Watched it a couple of years ago, the memories still bring by smiles