The Best And Worst Things From American Psycho
By Emily Bell
Christian Bale, with a famously intense commitment to roles and ability to lead in heavy dramedies, thrillers, and superhero movies alike, consistently delivers raved about performances. "American Psycho," paired with the similarly yuppy-gone-wrong role he played the same year in "Shaft," marked the beginning of an adult renaissance after following some lean (but mostly employed) years following early '90s films like "Newsies" and "Swing Kids." Bateman, as it turned out, presented the perfect opportunity for Bale to flex his acting (and ridiculously toned) muscles.
Like Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle or Michael Rooker in "Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer," Bale rose to the occasion of playing a despicable anti-hero. Throughout the film, Bale walks a high wire of polite conversation, moments of insanity, and dialogue so surreal it practically belongs on "SNL."
While the movie's disturbing graphic content led to contentious critical and public reception, Bale's performance was widely praised. Roger Ebert — the late godfather of film criticism — called Bale's performance "heroic" in his review. He specifically noted Bale's masterful ability to throw caution to the wind and jump "joyfully into despicability." Bale doesn't just go over the top as Bateman, he obliterates the bar. It's wonderfully gruesome to behold.
