American Psycho

Une critique de la superficialité du style de vie et des valeurs tordues des hommes d'affaires de Wall Street, découpée dans un thriller d'horreur divertissant avec des nuances de comédie noire cynique. La performance de Bale en sociopathe est remarquable, le film a une bonne esthétique et est bien monté, mais il donne une impression tout aussi superficielle et froide que le sujet critiqué. Par exemple, les scènes de sexe surprennent par leur franchise, mais elles ne sont pas aussi personnelles et permettant de définir la personnalité du personnage principal, comme dans Shame. Elles cherchent plutôt à surprendre et choquer dans les eaux d'un grand courant de cinéma mainstream avec un casting de stars. (30/06/2021)

A probe into the mind of a member of a certain animal species from Wall Street who revels in expensive formal suits and designer goods, slaps on all sorts of menthol, moisturizing and peeling masks, regularly visits tanning salons, blathers about nothing in his circle of friends passing it off as serious deep musings. His measure of success is, among other things, the appearance of his business card, which he likes to compare with his equally afflicted friends, and to be free and cool, he goes to parties to snort coke. In fact, he is so bored with his emotional emptiness that he entertains himself in a quite "original" way, he kills. Those empty-minded suits sometimes make you so sick that the murders aren't even that disgusting in comparison. And to be honest, the murders are the least interesting thing about the whole movie. (14/07/2003)

An intentionally controversial thriller. Do I mind? Not at all. Bale is fantastically convincing in the role of the psychotic financier Bat(e)man and so is the portrayal of that high society world. Of course, I’ve no idea how realistic it is, but I know that I don’t have even the slightest desire to live it first hand. (23/12/2009)

American Psycho is from a group of movies that can be rated from one to five stars. From a technical standpoint, it is a decently executed piece with good camerawork, editing, and especially strong acting. Most of the actors are giving their all, and it is almost a pity that these performances cannot be seen in a stronger film. Even in small roles, quality actors appear, such as Chloë Sevigny in the role of a secretary. However, the problem lies with the content, which is superficially impressive but internally empty and decadent. Typical scenes take place in high society environments, nightclubs, where glamorous beauties mingle with yuppie elites in elegant frames. All in all, it is a kitschy affair that fairly faithfully corresponds to the style of Ellis's literary source, but for me, it is quite indigestible. Overall impression: 40%. (16/06/2006)

// - I can’t believe that Bryce prefers Van Patten’s card to mine. // - But wait. You ain't seen nothin' yet. Raised lettering, pale nimbus. White. - Impressive. Very nice. Hmm, let’s see Paul Allen’s card. // Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh, my God. It even has a watermark. // (25/05/2011)

A critique of the rich that is incredibly dull and uninteresting. A film that should never have been made. Or should have been directed by Oliver Stone. (06/03/2005)

From start to finish, I was reminded of the Czech film The Cremator. American Psycho draws the same analogy between the state of mind of the main character and the society he lives in. In this case, it is a far-fetched caricature of Wall Street royalty chattering eternally and senselessly with excruciating relentlessness, contrasted with a man who sets himself apart from the snobbish herd by becoming a murderous psychopath. But is anyone curious about his hobby? The great Christian Bale and a cunning script that is only seemingly about nothing, just like all the blather at tables in fancy restaurants. (08/09/2020)

Ma première « rencontre » avec Christian Bale : fou, horrible, épouvantable, choquant, dégoûtant, nauséabond, glaçant, mais en même temps fascinant. Il ne m’a jamais semblé aussi bon que dans cette adaptation du célèbre roman de Bret Easton Ellis. (14/04/2007)

It might even make sense, but it's hard to say. Maybe it’s profound. Who knows. I had a fantastic time, though. (26/04/2010)

I was wondering the whole time if Christian Bale's acting was merely overacting or basically a near-perfect performance. It's abundantly clear that a subject this interesting will stir up controversy at the mere mention of it and demand the attention of the wider public – just because of WHAT IT'S ABOUT. Personally, I was satisfied, I didn't even mind the "over-pointed" ending and as a result American Psycho impressed me as a worthy precursor to Dexter or Mr. Brooks. (16/07/2011)