Regular Price $14.98

Starring: Christian Bale,  Justin Theroux,  Josh Lucas,  Bill Sage,  Chloë Sevigny, 
Directed By: Mary Harron, 
Rated: Unrated
Release Date: 2000-04-14
Studio: Lions Gate
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  DVD-Video,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about American Psycho

Amazon.com essential video
The Bret Easton Ellis novel American Psycho, a dark, violent satire of the "me" culture of Ronald Reagan's 1980s, is certainly one of the most controversial books of the '90s, and that notoriety fueled its bestseller status. This smart, savvy adaptation by Mary Harron (I Shot Andy Warhol) may be able to ride the crest of the notoriety; prior to the film's release, Harron fought a ratings battle (ironically, for depictions of sex rather than violence), but at the time the director stated, "We're rescuing [the book] from its own bad reputation." Harron and co-screenwriter Guinevere Turner (Go Fish) overcome many of the objections of Ellis's novel by keeping the most extreme violence offscreen (sometimes just barely), suggesting the reign of terror of yuppie killer Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) with splashes of blood and personal souvenirs. Bale is razor sharp as the blank corporate drone, a preening tiger in designer suits whose speaking voice is part salesman, part self-help guru, and completely artificial. Carrying himself with the poised confidence of a male model, he spends his days in a numbing world of status-symbol one-upmanship and soul-sapping small talk, but breaks out at night with smirking explosions of homicide, accomplished with the fastidious care of a hopeless obsessive. The film's approach to this mayhem is simultaneously shocking and discreet; even Bateman's outrageous naked charge with a chainsaw is most notable for the impossibly polished and gleaming instrument of death. Harron's film is a hilarious, cheerfully insidious hall of mirrors all pointed inward, slowly cracking as the portrait becomes increasingly grotesque and insane. --Sean Axmaker

Amazon.com
The Bret Easton Ellis novel American Psycho, a dark, violent satire of the "me" culture of Ronald Reagan's 1980s, is certainly one of the most controversial books of the '90s, and that notoriety fueled its bestseller status. This smart, savvy adaptation by Mary Harron (I Shot Andy Warhol) may be able to ride the crest of the notoriety; prior to the film's release, Harron fought a ratings battle (ironically, for depictions of sex rather than violence), but at the time the director stated, "We're rescuing [the book] from its own bad reputation." Harron and co-screenwriter Guinevere Turner (Go Fish) overcome many of the objections of Ellis's novel by keeping the most extreme violence offscreen (sometimes just barely), suggesting the reign of terror of yuppie killer Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) with splashes of blood and personal souvenirs. Bale is razor sharp as the blank corporate drone, a preening tiger in designer suits whose speaking voice is part salesman, part self-help guru, and completely artificial. Carrying himself with the poised confidence of a male model, he spends his days in a numbing world of status-symbol one-upmanship and soul-sapping small talk, but breaks out at night with smirking explosions of homicide, accomplished with the fastidious care of a hopeless obsessive. The film's approach to this mayhem is simultaneously shocking and discreet; even Bateman's outrageous naked charge with a chainsaw is most notable for the impossibly polished and gleaming instrument of death. Harron's film is a hilarious, cheerfully insidious hall of mirrors all pointed inward, slowly cracking as the portrait becomes increasingly grotesque and insane. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews for American Psycho

classic
Great Movie. Not sure if it's out on blue-ray, but i would recommend that over the DVD definitely.
Classic.American Psycho

Bale is an incredible Bateman
This film is truly amazing. It involves the viewer visually and intellectually. A great film, and well worth the cost.American Psycho

American Classic
Not only was the quality of a used DVD excellent (unnoticable!), the movie itself is one of my top five of all time. It's so humourously evil in the same sense as Fargo, where what's going on in the scene makes you squirm and chuckle deviously at the same time.
For those with a warped sense of humour or even those who just enjoy an amazing movie with superb acting, I recommend this!American Psycho

Bale at his best
As the Dark Knight opens I have a feeling that Christian Bale will soon be a household name. If anyone is a fan of Bale's work, this is a must see. It is not for all tastes. There are some sexually explicit scenes and violence. That aside, Bale plays the perfect looking, perfectly chisled, perfectly groomed Patrick Bateman to perfection. The man behind the perfect mask is truly psychotic. Bale is genious in this role. I saw that Leonardo Decaprio was supposed to play the part and I cant imagine anyone playing Batemen like Bale. He is the best actor out there and dedicated to his craft which makes him fascinating to watch. When he is on screen in any film, it is impossible to watch anyone else, not just because of his obvious good looks, but because it seems he becomes the character. I recommend this film and as a matter of fact, all of his films. He is a huge talent.American Psycho

WILDLY SHARP SATIRE! ONE OF BALE'S BEST!
I had never seen this movie before now and I must say it took me completely by surprise. Bale gives another winning performance in this dark satire about 80's yuppie life. The film is totally engrossing in the first three quarters, but does seem like a bit of a let down in the end. For that reason I give it a 4 star rating. You'll either love it or hate it.American Psycho