I haven't read the novel which the film is based on, but those expecting a horror film - or even suspense really, are likely to find themselves disappointed. Rather, Director Mary Harron has created a VERY black thriller filled with a twisted sense of humour which is so dark, only a very small segment of the population will get it - a larger part will get some jokes and not others (the group of which I'm a part of), and most will likely just turn off immediately.
The plot is paper thin - this is a character drama, and more importantly focuses on one character in particular. Make no mistake though this isn't some galavanting good-moral hero you can cheer behind, nor a villain you can root for and wallow in enjoyment at watching his insidious deeds - this is a chilling study of man with no soul which proves to be the film's most unique aspect, along with its most damaging characteristic.
The acting is top notch and Christian Bale gives a very high calibre and star-turning performance as the visceral Patrick Bateman, a role which now upon seeing it would've been terrible if Leonardo DiCaprio had been in it (as the last part of "The Beach" can attest to). The weight of the film rests entirely on his shoulders, he's in every scene (I can only think of 1-2 exceptions), and all other roles in the movie are supporting at best. One can see the hard work Bale must've done in preparation for the role, such as the many hours of weightlifting & tanning required to get Bateman's physique.
The main problem with the character though, and thus the film, is that while he is fascinating to watch - he simply isn't engaging. A similar character study is the absolutely superb "American History X" which had Ed Norton playing an absolutely monsterous neo-nazi character who undergoes a redemption - its that journey we follow from start to end that causes us to sympathise with him. Bateman isn't like that at all, the man has no soul and thus nothing changes at all by the end - he's the ultimate objective person who looks at everything with absolutely no value whatsoever.
From a psychological perspective it's interesting, but as a lead role in a movie it just doesn't work as you have no emotional investment in the character. There's one scene where Bateman visits a drug-addicted girl he's been sleeping with in her bedroom and is the one scene in the movie where the smallest chink of emotion slips out of Bateman's cold exterior - this is his most fascinating moment, but sadly that's one of the only ones.
Of the supporting cast Chloe Sevigny comes out tops as Bateman's soft spoken secretary, Willem Dafoe also does well as a detective who seems to be in a sub-plot which just goes nowhere. Jared Leto has all of four minutes screentime, but his final scene in Bateman's apartment is the film's funniest moment. He also gets to appear in the other comical scene which most people will get - a vain pissing contest but in regards to whose got the better business card. Reese Witherspoon has only a minor part and is forgettable sadly as the character, like a lot of the others in this, has no time to develop.
The black humour is very dark, some of it hilariously so (eg. the chainsaw chase, Bateman's vanity, the 80's music references) while others just don't seem to click. The twist ending isn't particularly well explained, and is actually kind of predictable in this post "Fight Club" culture. Harron's directing has resulted in a great look combining shadows and the spartan modern apartment look to a tea. Pity the story isn't as engaging.
