AMERICAN PSYCHO

AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000) **1/2

Reviewed 4/11/00

Based off the notorious Bret Easton Ellis book, American Psycho also tries to be scathing in indicting the empty materialism of the 1980s that is no less prevalent today. Unfortunately, as directed by Mary Harron (who also co-wrote with Guinevere Turner), the film so focuses on comedy that it disarms its message. Christian Bale stars as serial killer Patrick Bateman, who is so obsessed with his facial creams, business cards, and restaurant reservations, that to feel anything real, he has to kill. That is, unless everything is just in his head. Bale does a fine job. His Bateman knows he is not quite human, and Bale sounds like Data from Star Trek while doing a simulacrum of Tom Cruise's body language. Leonardo Dicaprio, who was initially considered for the part, probably would not have pulled it off.

The movie starts off in off-putting clobber-your-noggin' style just in case you miss the theme, but recovers for an inspired second act. Notable are scenes of Bateman with two prostitutes and his encounter with a gay acquaintance. Ultimately though, Bateman's murderous acts and critiques of 80's pop music end up feeling more like excuses for comedy than incriminations of a culture. American Psycho further suffers from having been outdone already by last year's Fight Club, whose impact was much more visceral.

American Psycho also stars Chloe Sevigny and Reese Witherspoon, who shine in all-too brief parts as Bateman's secretary and fiance, respectively. Willem Dafoe plays a detective and Jared Leto a possible victim, but neither make much of an impression.