Now I have to say that when I first saw this movie (on opening day) I saw it for two reasons. One was I love Chritian Bale. And the other was for Brett Easton Ellis. Although at the time I hadnt read this book, I had only read "Less than Zero" and that was close to ten years earlier.

First I will review the movie to people who have not read the book and then I will review it to those who have.

This is basically a movie about a serial killer. Although this is a bit different. The killer happens to be a rich, young, good looking wallstreet executive. This is also a black comedy, with some of the funniest lines you'll ever hear. It is also a period movie with meticulous details to the mid to late 1980's.

When I left the movie I was confused. Did he kill all those people? Was it only his imagination? Was it a comment on how we all have homicidal thoughts or immoral thoughts but we don't act on them? What was going on????? Well when I had only seen the movie my assumption was that he did not kill anyone. It was all a sick fantasy and he was just crazy, but not a killer. After reading the book I have completely changed my mind. Because there are too many things left out of the movie that if they were in it I would have though otherwise.

Now there are some moments in the book which I feel are key to the story that never made it in the movie. One of them was his meeting with his ex-girlfriend. This is one of the few times we see Patrick as close to human. He is nervous, sweaty and intimidated by this woman. Which also has the best "twist" of the book with her new boyfriend being the head chef at "Dorsia", that illusive and chic resteraunt he can never get a reservation for.

There are moments in the movie where the dialogue is dead on and ripped straight from the book, which I love. But most of the other times the dialogue is borrowed from one charachter and given to another. The scenes are blended into eachother for whatever reason and so much is left out. The movie is by far less graphic. And it also moves too quickly. I believe the book takes place over an almost two year period where the movie is in about a 6 month stretch of time.

Also in the book I don't think anything bad happens for nearly 100 pages or so. But in the movie in the first 5 minutes he makes a comment to a waitress about killing her. That buildup in the book was really important. You knew he would snap, but it was taking a long time to build everything.

Also there is the detective that I have a problem with. In the book he is young, attractive and dresses as well as Patrick. In the movie he is played by a much older and less attractive Willem Defoe.

Also the realtionship with his secretary is totally stripped down to bare bones and doesnt get anywhere near what it is in the book. I really disliked that.

If your a fan of the book Im sure youve seen it. If you haven't it's worth it to watch anyway even with all it's faults. It's a hard book and Im not sure if it could be made into a movie well. Although Id like to see someone try again.

If you haven't read the book then you should still see the movie. If you like Christian Bale you will see him in a whole new light. He also pulled off a role that Im not sure anyone else could.

I gave it a 3 star rating because of the issues I have with book/versus movie. But its still entertaining and a good converstation will happen after you watch it with someone.
Now I have to say that when I first saw this movie (on opening day) I saw it for two reasons. One was I love Chritian Bale. And the other was for Brett Easton Ellis. Although at the time I hadnt read this book, I had only read "Less than Zero" and that was close to ten years earlier. First I will review the movie to people who have not read the book and then I will review it to those who have. This is basically a movie about a serial killer. Although this is a bit different. The killer happens to be a rich, young, good looking wallstreet executive. This is also a black comedy, with some of the funniest lines you'll ever hear. It is also a period movie with meticulous details to the mid to late 1980's. When I left the movie I was confused. Did he kill all those people? Was it only his imagination? Was it a comment on how we all have homicidal thoughts or immoral thoughts but we don't act on them? What was going on???? ? Well when I had only seen the movie my assumption was that he did not kill anyone. It was all a sick fantasy and he was just crazy, but not a killer. After reading the book I have completely changed my mind. Because there are too many things left out of the movie that if they were in it I would have though otherwise. Now there are some moments in the book which I feel are key to the story that never made it in the movie. One of them was his meeting with his ex-girlfriend. This is one of the few times we see Patrick as close to human. He is nervous, sweaty and intimidated by this woman. Which also has the best "twist" of the book with her new boyfriend being the head chef at "Dorsia", that illusive and chic resteraunt he can never get a reservation for. There are moments in the movie where the dialogue is dead on and ripped straight from the book, which I love. But most of the other times the dialogue is borrowed from one charachter and given to another. The scenes are blended into eachother for whatever reason and so much is left out. The movie is by far less graphic. And it also moves too quickly. I believe the book takes place over an almost two year period where the movie is in about a 6 month stretch of time. Also in the book I don't think anything bad happens for nearly 100 pages or so. But in the movie in the first 5 minutes he makes a comment to a waitress about killing her. That buildup in the book was really important. You knew he would snap, but it was taking a long time to build everything. Also there is the detective that I have a problem with. In the book he is young, attractive and dresses as well as Patrick. In the movie he is played by a much older and less attractive Willem Defoe. Also the realtionship with his secretary is totally stripped down to bare bones and doesnt get anywhere near what it is in the book. I really disliked that. If your a fan of the book Im sure youve seen it. If you haven't it's worth it to watch anyway even with all it's faults. It's a hard book and Im not sure if it could be made into a movie well. Although Id like to see someone try again. If you haven't read the book then you should still see the movie. If you like Christian Bale you will see him in a whole new light. He also pulled off a role that Im not sure anyone else could. I gave it a 3 star rating because of the issues I have with book/versus movie. But its still entertaining and a good converstation will happen after you watch it with someone.