American Psycho (2000) Retrospective / Review

[@bbarrow11297]

I just want to say the trailers you cut together at the beginning of these retrospectives are always top notch! Better than the actual trailer 99% of the time, gives you a good idea of what the film is about without giving away too much

[@wattsnottaken1]

I’m so glad Oliver currently has 200K his channel is so great I love it. His trailers are even better than the actual ones

[@RandallFrequentFlyerFlagg]

Patrick? Patrick? Is that you? No, Luis. It's not me. You're mistaken.

[@DBSG1976]

The best movie review channel on KZbin!

[@Xayjohns]

He deserves to be right on the front page of KZbin, way more so than a lot of other people.

[@justanothervoicescreamingi2863]

Constable 1976 are you kidding? Half of this video is either a recap or telling you what the actors have been in since. It takes more than 2 minutes for the video to actually start and he misses the entire point of the ending

[@canofamily994]

Dick

[@paulheap1982]

@@justanothervoicescreamingi2863 the entire point of an ending that's ambiguous? Christ, some people can be dense.

[@Drforrester31]

Man, I wish that they had candidly filmed Christian Bale meeting Bret Easton Ellis while in character

[@rustykuntz94]

I never heard that story before, so funny

[@RosyTheRascal15]

"I like to dissect movies... did you know I'm utterly insane?"

[@insertcolorfulmetaphor8520]

Have you returned those videotapes, yet?

[@guitargodthor2]

Lmao

[@StolenEyesX]

Great review. As a fan of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, Mary Harron translated what many believed (including me, at the time) was an unfilmable book into a fantastic satire on American capitalist culture. And I loved how she played on the horror aspects of the novel from the very first frame, with the dripping red liquid that is in fact not blood, but fruit sauce, as food is prepared in one of the many restaurants that Bateman likes to visit. The fact that Harron doesn’t address the ultimate question as to whether Bateman’s actions are fantasy or reality only makes the film stronger, and allows the audience to answer the question for themselves. I’ve personally always believed he’s fantasising both in the book and the film, out of complete and utter boredom as he deals with both the vacuous nature of his character and lifestyle. Christian Bale is of course incredible as Bateman, and I can’t read the book now without picturing him in the role. And I never knew he met Brett Easton Ellis for lunch in character, and that he scared the author so much. It’s that strong of a performance. There is one scene from the book that I would’ve loved to have seen in the film - purely for its dark comedic value, as well as an indication of just how twisted Bateman is. Its the scene where he pretends to present his fiancée with a special dessert while out to dinner, when he has In fact taken a used toilet sanitary cake, covered it in chocolate syrup and put it in an expensive box. He then watches as his dutiful girlfriend tries to eat it while gagging and complaining how “minty” it Is. It is one of the funniest scenes in the book, and it was truly a missed opportunity not to include it here.

[@davidjames579]

It's like an upper class version of Joker (2019). Or if Bruce Wayne was like his 'brother' Arthur Fleck.

[@Assimandeli]

My take was that he did commit the murders (at least the more "plausible" ones), but nobody notices or even cares when he tries to admit it; because they are all self-centered assholes. They're all the same and behave in the same manner to the point that they can't even tell each other apart, which is why no one notices when one is killed. I always assumed that was the satire and at the end of the film the question whether the murders were real or not was completely dropped for the sake of it. I've never read the original book, so I don't know how the story is told in it, but that's what I got out of the film. To be fair though, I haven't seen the film in like 15 years, so I'm going by memory only. E: Oliver says pretty much everything I said. That's what I get for commenting before watching the video, I suppose.

[@Floyd1138]

I'd like to leave a comment but i have to return some videotapes.

[@joshmartin4914]

That idea about Bateman's father covering his son's tracks is a really inspired idea! I can totally see that being the case!

[@DrMurdercock]

yep. cant have the bosses son being a nut. bad for image

[@davidjames579]

My take on this was somebody was covering up for Bateman. The lawyer's conversation sounds like he's in on this somehow, in his denials. To me it felt the reason was because people, and whoever runs Bateman's life cannot bring themselves to believe such atrocities were happening, by someone they know/have a vested interest in. In that way it's like a comment on complicity in evil, whether it's Nazi Germany or any situation. The Yuppies cannot allow their gilded life to be shattered and are in denial.

[@charaznable8072]

I didn't know his father was the owner of the company for the longest but since he is it makes sense.

[@s.ormgamalson6489]

Sabrina, dont just stare at it. Eat it!

[@nickm8874]

s. orm Gamalson hahaha

[@PeterSellers22]

No need for an exclamation mark

[@shooter2409]

Actor: "I can cry on cue" Christian Bale: Hold my beer

[@FisterSavage]

If Bale could actually sweat on cue I have to call him the best actor of all time. How can you sweat on cue??

[@Sanzaru123]

Lets see Paul Allen's Retrospective...

[@stevenbeoethy872]

I'm crying!!

[@z-rex6068]

Quinton Lane Lmao

[@edgarfigaro3441]

No one watches Paul Allen's retrospectives anymore...

[@stevenbeoethy872]

Evelyn!!! Great ass; goes out With that loser, Patrick Bateman!

[@davidjames579]

@Papa Burgundy Or running Microsoft.

[@Fan-wj9mx]

I really like that end conversation with his Lawyer. When it sinks in for Patrick that the system is there to protect him no matter what he does. Now I have to go return some video tapes.

[@davidjames579]

Bit like Truman in The Truman Show. He just can't have things his way. Reality fixes around him.

[@tomislavdebelic7285]

When you realized that Batman axed Joker in 2000. :D

[@ryantheanimator1156]

Well, guess Batman foresaw the future of the suicide squad movie so he tried to killed Jared Leto to prevent Suicide Squad Joker from being a thing but he failed, lol.

[@djnosleeves85]

👏👏👏

[@Vaporvice84]

And the green goblin was assigned to the case.

[@sfighter0085]

Yeah, when the cool Batman axed the poorly thought out Joker!

[@davidjames579]

The interesting thing is from this performance Bale could have played Joker, just as much as he played Bruce Wayne.

[@gutz1981]

After seeing Le Mans 66 (Ford v Ferrari) Bale is looking to me to be perhaps one of the greatest actors to exist. I only found out about 5 years or so ago he was the kid from Empire of the Son, making him the example of the few child actors to make it into adulthood. Talented man.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

I said that when i saw him in Equilibrium in 2002.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

Same for Sean Bean in Euqilibrium

[@247tubefan]

I'm soooooo glad this movie was made in 2000 & not 2019.

[@steviebellvocals5354]

Absolutely! It would either be Patricia Bateman killing men or even worse Eli Roth/Rob zombie directing it lol

[@arqjrp]

@@steviebellvocals5354 OR could be on the same universe as Charlie's Angels or the new Ghostbusters... yuck

[@Tacom4ster]

@@steviebellvocals5354 you do know this movie is a deconstruction of late stage Capitalism. Even without villainizing toxic masculinity and have a Neo Liberal lady leaning in won't get rid of anti Capitalists attitude. Anarchism now.

[@funtourhawk]

I thought it was funny the director was a women, can't imagine that now a days.

[@defenstrator4660]

@@Tacom4ster Anarchism doesn't work. Every single time it has been tried it ended in failure.

[@captainpungent]

It always bothered me they attributed that "head on a stick" quote to Ed Gein. It's actually from Ed Kemper.

[@RobbieRothschild]

Who knows bucko maybe it was on purpose, to play with the fact that no one remembers each others name

[@Herr.P]

Its the same in the book so its Patrick that is mistaken here.

[@DrMurdercock]

people know gein, not kemper.

[@davidjames579]

@@DrMurdercock Kemper in Mergers And Acquisitions? Or Kemper at Merill Lynch?

[@DrMurdercock]

@@davidjames579 Kemper in Murders and Executions

[@RosyTheRascal15]

Can't I have to return some video tapes.

[@rustykuntz94]

So many small scenes that I just love and add to the black comedy nature of the film. Like when Bateman is dragging Allen's body out to the car and Lewis stops him & you think for a second he's on to him but then he says "where did you get that overnight bag?" Just genius stuff.

[@dinsism]

This is one of my all time favourite Bale movies, he is utterly amazing!

[@reidripley1221]

Phil Collins. New Order. Huey Lewis and the News. Bateman may have been nuts, but he had GREAT taste in music.

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

But his apartment was terrible, did you see the view from Paul Allen's place?

[@ollijokinen1571]

@@oldleatherhandsfriends4053 It's not that nice.

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

What drove Patrick into the deep end was his inability to get a reservation at Dorcia. But really who wouldn't go crazy over such a thing.

[@seankinsellasean]

That 3 takes idea for the interview with willem dafoe is genius, i remember being confused watching it myself.

[@davidjames579]

I see Dafoe's character as like Bateman's conscience or guardian angel, depending on which take you take that from.

[@darkhero-3097]

I love this movie. One of my favorites. I feel that Bateman either never committed the crimes and just thought he did, or he killed a few people, like the homeless man at the beginning, but the rest are imaginations

[@egoborder3203]

such a good movie! It's criminal that Harron's career didn't take off

[@vincentvader2840]

Right now I´m listening to the audio book. I see CB as PB right before my eyes all the time. He was just perfect for the role. A shame he didn´t got the recognition at that time.

[@Kevinacharles]

Yeah, she nailed it with this. She thankfully went down the subtle (and not so subtle) comedy route, rather than the over the top graphic violence of the novel.

[@davidjames579]

She also made The Notorious Bettie Page and recently released Charlie Says, about Charles Manson.

[@lovecraftcat]

Let's see Oliver Harper's card

[@madmonkee1176]

“I’m into uh murders and executions mostly”

[@DukeOfMalarkey]

"Mergers and acquisitions, how interesting!"

[@Herr.P]

thats in the book but in the book the music is so loud no one can actually hear what the other person says. Which just adds to how superficial the world he live in is.

[@tophers3756]

"Oh, mergers and acquisitions."

[@davidjames579]

@@Herr.P I thought the point was she thinks what he says is a banker's joke name for M&A. Which just underlines that you can tell people you're a murderer, and no one will think you're being serious.

[@Herr.P]

@@davidjames579 Or maybe she is just stupid.

[@harrychalcraft9711]

Theres a reason why Oliver covers all these 90's 80's movies. They showed originality. Name one blockbuster movie in the last 10 years that had the balls to make a good picture without financial incentive first and foremost. Studios are happy making shit as long as they make money.

[@harrychalcraft9711]

none take risk anymore.

[@jgedutis]

Every time I hear Huey Lewis & The News I check below me to see if there is a plastic tarp on the ground

[@Boback111]

Excellent choice. Btw if you look toward the bottom of the screen you’ll notice it even has a watermark.

[@DrMurdercock]

Nice. Subtle raised watermark

[@ZiPolishHammer]

@@DrMurdercock I can't believe that Hussell prefers Oliver's screen to mine

[@YoumuHoover]

*HEY PAUL!*

[@sunsetman22]

*ARRRRGGHHHHHH!!!*

[@jmwild1]

"I have to return some videotapes" became my goto line whenever I wanted out of a conversation.

[@edgarfigaro3441]

This movie made me a Christian Bale's fan.

[@Kevinacharles]

Ditto.

[@cpt.hatemonger1950]

It's fucking DISTRACTIIIIIIIIIIING!

[@abidiqbal3585]

You like Huey Lewis and The News... Same! 😊👍

[@nox5870]

Underrated Masterpiece! I can't believe you did a retrospective on this, one of my favorite movies of all time! ❤️😍 Thank you Oliver. Very nice early Christmas present 😊

[@redbandmedia79]

Just wanted to say I really appreciate the work you put in to these videos Oliver. I would always say you deserve a bigger subscription base but then I sort of prefer that it's just us lot that know about you. Great stuff mate.

[@DrVanNostrand01]

One of my all time favorite films!! Bale as Bateman is phenomenal.

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

He just plays Patrick Bateman, except instead of killing women and bums, bankers he fights crime.

[@damienmb2365]

Bale as Batman

[@Herr.P]

Then you should read the book its much beter. And makes more sense too.

[@smoothALOE]

The fact that Bale got approval from Ellis is the kicker. That’s like Connery getting approval for 007 directly from Fleming. Once I read the book, I thought that Heath Ledger, but with blonde in his hair, would’ve been a great choice for Bateman. He would’ve been too young back then, though.

[@GothamKnight84661]

"I have to return some video tapes."

[@funlearninggames]

Hey Oliver, your Retrospectives are really cool. They offer something fairly unique on KZbin re: film analysis/reviews.

[@mercurystudioinc]

If you read the book, the answer to paul allen's apartment is clear: the realtors are every bit as self absorbed as the killer and cover up the crimes in order to secure new renters, (who would likely never rent an apartment that was the location of such heinous crimes) thus she is fully aware that Patrick shows up to clean up his crimes and must be the killer, and tells him to leave because to reveal him as the killer would reveal the crimes and ruin her potential profits.

[@goldengod5915]

That was always the theory I believed most.

[@edwarddore7617]

That is what I think. Which means he did commit some murders, but all the murders after the ATM he imagined. Even he thought the cop car exploding was strange.

[@janb.281]

What a great choice for a retrospective @Oliver Harper Coincidentally, I just finished re-reading the book, which I can highly recommend. Film mixes the best satire from the book while smartly avoiding it’s gruesome and graphic violence .

[@tophers3756]

Harron may be mum on the Blu-ray commentary, but I remember an interview where she said she never intended to imply that Bateman didn't commit the murders. It was just that he got away with them due to the reasons outlined in the video. If I'm not mistaken, the explanation given for the cleaned up apartment was that the realtors were protecting the resale value by covering up the slaughter.

[@davidjames579]

They made a killing on that property

[@CatLives9]

Great choice to do a retrospective on! I'd love to see you do one for "Interview With The Vampire" since we're on the 25th anniversary.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

After Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust, Interview with a Vampire is my favourite Vampire movie.

[@TonyStarkMkIII]

Oh Oliver, this is one of my all-time favorites and I was so happy to see you reviewed it.

[@transformersrevenge9]

Anyone notice how this film has some elements taken from the book ''Crime and Punishment''. The axe murder and the detective can be coincidences, but the killer compulsively returning to the apartment where he killed, only to find it has been changed, is lifted straight out of C&P. A nice homage that kinda on a thematic level ties to moral and idealistic killer of the book together with the amoral and random madman of the movie, showing how people have changed since the old days.

[@WinterSoldierLTE]

I've always loved how he chases a woman down a hallway with a chainsaw bare naked, but took time to put on his sneakers.

[@davidjames579]

Kudos to anyone running with a chainsaw while their 'lad' swings about

[@defenstrator4660]

I saw this in the theater and really enjoyed it. I always found it odd when I later heard that the ending wasn't supposed to be that ambiguous, as it seemed clear to everyone who I saw it with that had turned into complete fantasy, and that Bateman had almost certainly made up the whole thing in his head to give his empty life purpose.

[@Natedawg38]

Such a classic. One of the funniest darkest films I've ever seen and more relevant today than ever.

[@prestonspicer]

Real stroke of genius to flip V.O. and footage for the opening and closing monologues. That editing choice highlights how Patrick is unchanged by the end of the movie, and how cyclical the events could be.

[@deckard3755]

It'd be great to get a retrospective for The Machinist. Really solid movie and an example of how Bale has changed himself totally for a role. Really excellent actor that has bags of talent.

[@CGB_Crash]

I'm still just blown away that Christian Bale can apparently sweat profusely on command. How do you even practice doing that to get good at it?

[@-NateTheGreat]

I seen this for the first time on Netflix last month. I knew of the movie for years but honestly never sat down and watched it. It was disturbingly good.

[@stephenflanagan5560]

WOW...I literally just revisited this gem last night, fantastic review as usual...thanks Oliver!! 😁👍

[@killbot_factory]

my favorite KZbin film critic talking about my favorite movie, ah what a great start to the day!

[@Dragonwolfworm]

One of my favorite films. Simply brilliant and the dark satire/horror was spot-on. One of the rare times that the film adapation is better than the book.

[@sonicmojo]

That was the absolute best description of this film I've ever heard. Great job!

[@Jonashall1]

A masterpiece.

[@ALF_Lucius]

A very fine review, sir. I watched in a theater and was amazed at Bale's performance. Wasn't sure if I quite liked the ending. though. I do like your theory about his father. That's the direction I'd gone with but would take a bit more setup present in the story. Then again, it probably would spoil the reaction from character and the audience as we're trying to piece together that bloody mess.

[@Josh_J91]

Either this or the prestige are my all time favorite films

[@z-rex6068]

I’ve literally been thinking about this movie a lot lately, watched it earlier and you coincidentally upload this lol

[@joaomiguelgarrido8004]

Wow. Wasn't expecting this Mr. Oliver.. Terrific job as always

[@sfighter0085]

Fantastic review and retrospective. I first seen bits of this movie on "Bravo's Even Scarier Movie Moments", where they showed the "Huey Lewis and the Sports" clip. I've seen the movie one time on Netflix and thought it was great, I liked the way it ended ambiguously, questioning weather or not if Patrick Bateman really killed those people or if it was all in his head. Fro a while I've only known Christian Bale for the role of Batman in the "Dark Knight" trilogy, but here he really gave one hell of a performance. I currently own the "Unrated Cut" on Blu-Ray, but I have yet to re-watch it. Gonna need to at some point. :D

[@jamesmonto9562]

Jesus, yes. That was amazing. That was you Oliver Harper, wasn't it ? Yeah, naturally. Harper killing it with the intro and sound choice. Just Fabulous. Very rich.

[@godzillamoraga]

I really dig your channel sir. Major props on really entertaining episodes

[@Doongie4ever]

I didn't think you would cover this movie but I love being surprised. I saw American Psycho not long after it came out on video and I thought it was cool and never forgot about it.

[@garance6606]

Wow ! I watched the film last night for the first time. As it left me kind of confused, I was searching for video essays or explanation videos ... and you just happen publish a review not just today but only one hour ago while i decide to browse KZbin. I'm starting to question reality ...

[@williemakit2477]

Man! I absolutely love this movie! It's a personal favorite. I accidentally picked this movie up from Blockbuster thinking it was a different movie. I ended up buying this unrated directors cut and have no regrets. I can't help but connect with Patrick Bateman. I remember watching this movie all the way through only to find myself starting it over again to catch things that I've missed. I know I watch this movie at least 10 to 15 times a year. Absolutely brilliant movie!

[@venomouslizards]

Two reviews in two weeks, am I in heaven?

[@alfaecotangoromeo]

welcome back bro, thank you, great video as always

[@thebigten90]

i have seen this movie so many times and it doesnt get old.

[@mindmaster58]

Just wanted to say, i love your videos. This movie is absolutely brilliant. First i was pretty disturbed by it but now i love it.

[@chrislondo2683]

I remembered this film on TV almost three years ago now. Excellent retrospective so far. Kind of hard to believe that it came out 20 years ago.

[@rustykuntz94]

Both scenes at the end with the real estate woman and him confessing to the lawyer are afar more dark and strange to me than anything else that preceded it. Haunting vibe from those scenes, especially with the women in the apartment.

[@davidjames579]

Even creepier if she knows he is the murderer. Not just that she's covering a murder up.

[@rustykuntz94]

David James I totally believe she did and knows who he is and what he did

[@davidjames579]

@@rustykuntz94 Reminds me somewhat of Eyes Wide Shut where all this evil shit is going on and being covered up by the rich in New York. Bateman is like a homicidal version of Cruise's character. Somewhat innocent as he discovers what's going on , but still wrapped up in it.

[@jamesmonto9562]

God I have to download that intro. Thank you Harper!

[@Story2ScreenMovieReviewPodcast]

19:14 that's the best way to describe Benioff and Weiss and how they ran and got Game of Thrones.

[@jamesatkinsonja]

Great review for a great movie. Missed opportunity in not discussing the musical though

[@iPedroMota]

Great review, favorite movie during my teens and my mate had it on vhs. Made me want to see every future Bale movie.

[@Skinadious]

Thank you for another great review/retrospective!

[@sel3735]

Mary Barron was also on the jury that awarded 'Joker' the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival. Both American Psycho and Joker are similar in that the main protagonists are in every scene, and both films are ambiguous in the events that happen.

[@onironauta_86]

"Are you gonna watch this video? - No can do! Got an 8:30 res at Dorsia...great sea urchin ceviche"

[@StickNik]

Watched this film and Joker recently, both with my mum. It's interesting how similar they are in terms of public reactions before the films even came out.

[@GF_Baltar]

I've seen this movie a half dozen times, but only just now did I realize the violent meaning implied by the name of Bateman's company - Pierce & Pierce 🗡️🗡️

[@hankchinaski4818]

I love this channel only found it a few weeks ago.

[@leeboy2k1]

Oliver Harper:the movie gives you a look into the mind of a Psychopath. Joe Public "Hold my ballot ticket!!"

[@fattyfranz4272]

My favorite reviewer reviewing my favorite movie... excellent.

[@brevonsflicksgames7450]

It’s one of my favorite films starring Christian Bale other than The Dark Knight Trilogy.

[@scorcoz]

Unfortunately the director actually stated during an interview on video that she never intended for Patrick Bateman's actions to have been not real. She made the ending the way she did to keep in line with the open ended-ness of the book

[@aaronstately]

His father was protecting him was my view of the film as well. He did commit murders and his father and lawyers on retainer helped cover it.

[@gregoryjohnson9733]

There was only 2 scenes of "extreme violence" if I remember.

[@Achmedsander]

I remember getting the DVD/CD of this and was intrigued. I interpreted it as it was all in his mind as the over the top stuff near the end seemed to indicate that. One thing which i found odd was that the audio quality, especially the background sound was off. In a lot of cases where you had what appeared to be noisy backgrounds (clubs etc) everything was extremely muted, while the dialog was loud. This might have been due to the DVD/CD i got, but all in all, interesting movie.

[@NelsonStJames]

Very interesting to compare the history of this film, to a current film like Joker.

[@davidjames579]

I did an essay at uni comparing Am Psycho to Taxi Driver

[@kojiattwood]

Apparently Tom Hanks can also sweat on cue, what a remarkable sense memory he and Bale must have. For those interested, another Easton Ellis book, "The Rules of Attraction" was made into a movie several years after American Psycho, but was not nearly as good, imo. James Vander Beek plays Sean Bateman.

[@joerileijdsman3279]

Hi man, i just found your channel and like it alot. But whilst searching for your review of Gladiator it didnt seem to exist! It would be a nice movie for you to review!

[@Bingo_the_Pug]

You didn't mention & discuss any of the bizarre deleted scenes. Also, the fact that Patrick Bateman has a little brother who appeared in the film The Rules of Attraction, in which Patrick even makes a cameo (not played by Christian Bale unfortunately)

[@mandenmoris]

As always amazing review man; i just re watch this movie with my wife a couple of months ago and she loved but as myself we both don't understand the ending witch i love since it allows me to speculate.

[@danielgreen2788]

"theres is not real me, im simply not there"...feels more Joker then the Joker

[@davidjames579]

Harron's first film, I Shot Andy Warhol def feels like a female Joker before Joker. If Todd Phillips can't do Joker 2, then get Mary Harron!

[@0raldinho]

I saw the film a couple of months ago for the first time and it was a really solid movie and Christian Bale could easily play a Joker role. Because his Patrick Bateman reminded me so much of a Joker character especially at the end when he confeses everything to his lawyer.

[@DrTWG]

I thought it was essentially a riff on the times highlighting vacuous materialism , greed & stupefying egocentrism as well as some of the negative sides of 80s culture ! The book was great - always amazed at the descriptions of people as if it were a high fashion magazine. Loved the film - hilarious . The violence was theatrically amped - love the way he puts newspaper down before taking an axe to Leto's head (which you don't actually see).

[@SimoExMachina2]

Weird Al did a fantastic spoof of this movie (one scene actually; the one were Bateman listens to Huey Lewis And The News and murders his colleague) with the real life Huey Lewis.

[@shawn86x]

Amazing video my friend amazing job keep up the great work mate

[@MaccyjoeDraws]

Great video and review. I love the scene where Patrick thinks he's spotted Donald Trump, as if it's like a huge thing in life to see or have seen that awful man. Great film, more people should see it :)

[@davidjames579]

Bateman's horrible behavior protected by his family's money. No one caring because of who he is. Likes sex but hates women. Are we sure this isn't a biopic of Trump?