American Psycho (2000)

Director:

Mary Harron

Writers (WGA):

Bret Easton Ellis (novel)
Mary Harron (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 April 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

No Introduction Necessary.

Plot:

A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies.

Plot Keywords:

Fear | Materialism | Violence | Walkman | Cheating On Girlfriend

Awards:

4 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Christian Bale	...	Patrick Bateman
Justin Theroux	...	Timothy Bryce
Josh Lucas	...	Craig McDermott
Bill Sage	...	David Van Patten
Chloë Sevigny	...	Jean
Reese Witherspoon	...	Evelyn Williams
Samantha Mathis	...	Courtney Rawlinson
Matt Ross	...	Luis Carruthers
Jared Leto	...	Paul Allen
Willem Dafoe	...	Det. Donald Kimball
Cara Seymour	...	Christie
Guinevere Turner	...	Elizabeth
Stephen Bogaert	...	Harold Carnes
Monika Meier	...	Daisy
Reg E. Cathey	...	Al, the Derelict

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, sexuality, drug use and language.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English | Spanish | Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:R21 | Brazil:18 | USA:NC-17 (original cut) | Philippines:R-18 | USA:R (Certificate #37205) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Canada:18A | Chile:18 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:-16 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:18 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:18 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | USA:Unrated (uncut DVD version)

Filming Locations:

Boston Club - 4 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Am Psycho Productions

Trivia:

When during a very early stage in preproduction Leonardo DiCaprio expressed interest in playing the lead, production company Lions Gate issued a press release that DiCaprio would star in the movie. Previously attached director Mary Harron walked off the project, because she had not been consulted about this decision and had wanted Christian Bale to play Patrick Bateman. Oliver Stone became involved to direct, creating ever more media frenzy, which also concentrated on the now sky-rocketing budget of the movie. When both DiCaprio (whose interest in this project had been grossly overstated) and Stone dropped the project, Harron and Bale returned to the movie.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Camera and mount are visible in the title sequence, reflected in a silver knife that is placed on the table.

Quotes:

Patrick Bateman: [excusing himself from Detective Kimball] Listen, you'll have to excuse me. I have a lunch meeting with Cliff Huxtable at the Four Seasons in 20 minutes.

Movie Connections:

Version of Perfect (2003/I)

Soundtrack:

Deck the Halls

Cruelty and Christian Bale

A very funny horror flick. A worthy companion piece to its literary roots. A phenomenal, fearless performance by Christian Bale that, in a way, cleared up my questions about this versatile British actor. I could never quite warm up to him. Not even in "Little Women". Now, Bale as Patrick Bateman, revealed the reason. It is the cruelty around his mouth. His smiles are chilling and they work to perfection in this, his yuppie modern monster.His actions have the pristine shallowness of his business cards and the disgusting taste of his self awareness. You don't feel sorry for him, the way one did for Norman Bates. No, his character is unredeemable. His rough sex with two women while he rides one of them looking at himself in the mirror is one of the most disturbing film moments I've ever seen. I wonder if Bale will ever be able to play goodness, convincingly.