American Psycho

Mary Harron's American Psycho (2000) is based on Bret Easton Ellis' extremely controversial novel which mocks the shallow lifestyle (most importantly, obsessions) of modern and "trendy" people. Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is a Vice President in a company called Pierce & Pierce. He is the epitome of "a rich modern man": he wears expensive clothes, exercises a lot and eats in fancy restaurants. Under this shallow image, there is a dreamlike darkness hiding - waiting to burst out violently.

The entire film is devoted to its message; the film's content is perfect as a dark satire. The film likes to make us suspect if the murders and misogyny really happen or not. They are executed in a ridiculously funny way to point out how outrageous the idea on its own is. It doesnt matter whether they really happen or not because those murders are there to point out how shallow and ridiculous it is to be a rich materialist like Bateman and his "friends". Before I forget it, I have to mention the mad monologues about music. They are genuinely funny and used in a yet another way to poke fun at the characters.

The film's form is quite basic, there is nothing special about it. I guess it is a way to exaggerate the absurdity of the content. It keeps our attention on the content so that we can think about it without a distraction. The hilarious opening credits sequence sets the mood for the rest of the film by its playful use of blood in the rhythm of the music.

In overall, American Psycho is a great satire at its core with a form that works satisfyingly enough.

Score: 8 out of 10