Review of American Psycho (2000) by Greg A — 03 Feb 2013

How could you not like a movie that plays Huey Lewis and the News' "Hip to be Square" over a brutal axe murder by Chistian Bale's psychopathic Wall Streeter? Or Bale's monologue on the artistry of Mr.

Phil Collins ("Sussudio" being his personal favorite) during another creepy escapade. While not specifically a film about the 80s "Me" culture, it's a jet black satire that's still very relevant today.

I've never read the book, but I remember the novel being savaged as a piece of misogynistic garbage, wallowing in violence and gore, but co-writer/director Mary Harron wisely plays up satire and plays down the slasher elements.

Bale is amazing as the soulless Patrick Bateman, but funniest of all, according to the director, Bale based his character after seeing Tom Cruise appear on David Letters and saw in Cruise "this very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes.

" I might have to re-watch the film, picturing Maverick or jumping-on-the-couch Tom in place of Bale.