MARY HARRON

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BB.   

USA/Canada, 2000.  Am Psycho Productions, Edward R. Pressman Film, Lions Gate Films, Muse Productions, P.P.S. Films, Quadra Entertainment, Universal Pictures.  Screenplay by Mary Harron, Guinevere Turner, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis.  Cinematography by Andrzej Sekula.  Produced by Christian Halsey Solomon, Chris Hanley, Edward R. Pressman.  Music by John Cale.  Production Design by Gideon Ponte.  Costume Design by Isis Mussenden.  Film Editing by Andrew Marcus.  

Eighties materialism, fascination with psychotics and sexual frustrations of all kinds have been dealt with many times before this and in many better ways. Mary Harron’s latest does, however, have Christian Bale‘s dead-on performance as Bret Easton Ellis’ titular hero/villain, and some nifty production design.  The film received controversial attention from activists and censors for its graphic violence and glorification of serial killers, but in the end it was all much ado about nothing: there isn’t enough resembling humanity to be offensive, and it’s all undone by an ending that renders the entire film completely invalid. Samantha Mathis gives a terrifyingly good performance as a dope fiend who provides Bale with a regular friend.