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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 17, 2000)
I-: Bale’s twisted performance makes 'Psycho’a satirical journey By Samuel McKewon Senior editor “American Psycho” was nearly an Oliver Stone film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I shiver at the thought. Not because either are without talent. Stone’s had his days (but if he keeps up his dizzying editing tactics, they’re numbered). DiCaprio has undeniable acting prowess. But it’s hard to see the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ bloody novel any other way than director Mary Harron’s vision. Harron made an eccentric little pictur^ called “I Shot Andy Warhol” in 1996. “American Psycho” surpasses that movie in ambition by leaps and bounds. And, in the main event, as serial killer Patrick Bateman, Christian Bale is up for the challenge. This role will rock et-launch his career. 1 ne most controversial movie oi the year is a big success, a not-so twisted gem mixing pathos and satire, nearly perfect, too juicy to see just once. And Bale’s performance is a beauty all its own, a total surprise, considering his resume of English period dramas and softball roles in movies such as “Little Women.” There’s enough word of ntauth out there to know Ellis’s novel chron icled the mental fireefall of Bateman, a 27-year-old Wall Street shark straight out of the 1980s, who dabbles in investing, fine dining, pop music analysis, wire hanger torture and the occasional chainsaw murder of pros titutes. It’s a clunky, overly graphic novel - pages and pages of gruesome mur der detail overwhelm what’s meant to be an attempt at Dostoyevsky - with several tracks and sidetracks. Harron pares all the clutter out, squeezing out a lean 104-minute version of the essential facts, along with a female point of view. It’s actually preferable to the novel, as Bateman, obsessing over his hair care, skin care, clothes and furni ture ensemble to the point of mad ness, is the butt of his own joke. Harron doesn’t much like “PB,” and it shows. Which doesn’t mean Bateman’s character is without virtue. He’s just very, very confused about many things. iNarratea irom nis point oi view, Bateman introduces us to his life of finer things, which includes his women (Reese Witherspoon and Samantha Mathis, among many oth ers), his money and more important than either, his bone-colored business card. Alas, his mates’ cards are just as fine, even better. Bateman, no matter what, cannot separate himself from the pack. And so he indulges his anger in a series of murders. Women, prefer ably. But one man, Paul Allen (Jared Leto), has Bateman particularly peeved. Paul won’t hear the end of “Hip to be Square,” by Huey Lewis and the News, without a taste of Bateman’s rage. Though he’s established the char acter well to that point, Bale shoots Bateman into overdrive in the scene. It looks effortless, but the logistics of the scene, which involves three rooms, a raincoat, a long soliloquy from Bateman on Huey Lewis and finally, the murder itself, is a triumph of film. And Bale, who must do an impromptu shimmy in the middle of it all, sinks into the moment. And there are more moments to come. The murders pile up. A police detective (Willem Dafoe) has ques tions about Paul Allen’s death. But the movie, all done through Bateman, has better things in mind, like the three some scene chopped down to avoid the NC-17 rating. It’s still effective for what it’s worth, a fine example of the narcissism that only Bateman pays attention to. But Harron, along with co screenwriter Guinevere Turner, is smart enough not to send the Bateman character off on an island, as Stone probably would have done. Rather, she makes him just like the rest of his chums, and he’s constantly misidentified as a Davis, a Marcus, a Tom. Here, then, is the interesting premise of the filmmakers pitting themselves against their own main character, the result surprisingly clear. At no time is Bateman a clear protagonist. But we’re not rooting against him, either. As the movie develops, reality becomes more and more stunted. Dafoe’s character seems too amiable. Plus, he already knows everything. And his story isn’t matching up with Bateman’s. Nor is anyone else’s. “American Psycho” begins to reveal its real colors in the last 20 minutes. The shift could have been done slightly better. The end is meant to be chilling; it’s hard to say if it ever gets there for everyone, though there’s one haunting moment where Bateman walks into an empty, freshly painted apartment that he remembers differ ently. it s pan oi wnat maKes Amencan Psycho” work so well, this altered reality, which was there all along, even in the opening credits. As the oddball events unfold onscreen, it’s hilarity, a commentary on late-‘80s high society and its detachment from the world. But there’s more to it. Or less, depending on how you see it. In my view, Harron’s vision is a fairly straight shot. Its overlying structure hangs in the air of every shot, in Bale’s dramatic gyrations, in American Psycho STARS: Christian Bale, Willem Defoe, Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis DIRECTOR: Mary Harron RATING: R (graphic violence, strong sexual content) GRADE: A FIVE WORDS: A two leveled, entertaining gem. the dead-on imitation of 1980s fash ions and media stars. “American Psycho” takes place in its own self-contained universe with fragments of truth tossed in. It comes together in another mistaken identity conversation at thfe very end, followed by a moment of quiet, where Bateman seems to conjure up the words for his summation. The moment is paced perfectly, and it leaves plenty of beg ging questions. See “American Psycho” once for its surface joys and Bale’s star-mak ing performance. Then see it again for all its tiny revelations. To be honest, the movie’s complexity! expected. It’s the sheer entertainment, the first time viewing, that was such a sur prise. Daily Nebraskan $5.25/15 words 20 Nebraska Union M T A XT^TT^ T^\ O $3.50/15 words (students) ■ I /% L/ L. I Ll I Ll I m W $0.15 each additional word V>LA^ulr IIjUu \0o“headlme dn@unl.edu Deadline: 3 p.m. weekday prior 200s For sale ‘98 VOLVO S70 T5. Loaded, 52K, beautiful, wholesale $22,500.402-489-9100,434-9110.. • 19924WD Geo Tracker, hard-top. 90.000K, $2,500 OBO. • 1983 Yamaha Virago 750, red 1,250 OBO. 438-8831._ ' ‘85 Buick Century. 4-door, well but needs muffler. Must go this wi firm, 474-0751, PJ. ✓ ‘88 Olds Delta $2500 OBO. Call 742-6272. ‘91 Ford Tempo GL, blue, auto, 4-door, 82K, AIL, great condition, runs great, must sell, $2,000 OBO, 436-0616.,. ‘96 Geo Metro, low miles with some extras. 423-1189 or 540-5620. Adoption A caring California couple (financially secure) desires to adopt a white baby. We will provide a loving and se cure home and future for your child. Help with medical, legal and living arrangements will be provided. Com pletely legal. Your child will live a happy, fulfilling life. Call Debbie toll free at 800-658-2756. ADOPTION STAY AT HOME MOM A white California couple, offering their love and securi ty, wish to adopt newborn. Expenses paid. Legal and confidential. Please call Robyn, 1-800-939-1009. Thank you. Natural Herbal Breast Enlargement Safe, effective, and affordable. Please visit www.figureplus.com, 1-888-603-9800. Distributor ships also available. Auto Accidents & DWI Other criminal matters, cal Sanford Pollack, 476-7474, Sullivan Law Offices P.C. Bankruptcy, divorce, immigration. Timothy Paul Sulli van, Attorney at Law. 3200 ‘O’ St. Suite 2.435-3200. For all your insurance needs: auto, home, health, life and business, call Jim Wallace at American Family Insurance. 1340 L St., Lincoln, NE 68508 or call 402-474-5077.__ Need Help Moving? Moving help within Lincoln or Nebraska for home furni ture, office or merchandise. By the hour. NR Express Movers. 470-2970.__ Summer Storage Advance Self Storage. Safe, secure and low, low rates! CaR 464-8829. Free Pregnancy Test Birthright is a confidential helping hand. Please call for appointment or more information, 483-2609. Check out our website www.birthright.org. • ;• ' * > :** • •• • ' ' [/■} 400s Reusing Looking for a place to live? www.hbusinglOl.net... Your move off campus! Free roommate sublet listings. May - August Room available in near new 4BH duplex M/F. $250+ utilities. 17th and South. 476-4108. Ask for Rob or leave message. One female roommate needed by May. Rent: $230/month. CaH 325-9569 One female roommate. May-August 1. Walk to campus. $23S/month plus 1/4 utilities. 435-7361. Roommate wanted for house in Havelock area. Immedi ate availability $250+ 1/3 utilities. 325-8145 evenings or leave message. 3 Bedroom, Belmont area, close to campus, $725/month + utilities + deposit. No pets. Call 402/464-3348 after 2 p.m. 3BR, northwest, living and family rooms, 2 stall garage. $880. N/S, N/P. Call Julian, 432-7030 or Rembolt Homes, 488-9222. 4 bedroom with rec room, 2 bathrooms, W/D, CA, parking. 2 blocks to Harper Hall. $800.489-9294. 4 bedroom. 2 bath. Washer/dryer. Newly remodeled. A/C. $800. No pets. 2763 E Street. 432-6264. 400 Terrace Road, 3 bedroom, A/C, garage, fence yard, references, no pets, $850. 483-4887,483-7720. 408 “A* large, 5 bedroom, AC, oak fenced yard, pet $30. $1200. 1042 “F” 3 bedroom $650, pet $30. 423-4560. $900. 5BR, 2BA, central air, new carpet, new paint, dishwasher, W/D, no pets. 3735 Cleveland. Available now. 4 months or 1 year lease. 580-1121. 1426 N. 23rd. (23rd and Holdrege.) Very nice five bed room. Two baths. Spacious. Parking. Near UNL $950. 432-0644. 4200 Balwin, 6 bedroom, 2 bath, A/C, nice. Available 8/1 $900 440-8046,440-2248. 4-5 bedroom, 2825 ‘R’, 1,1/2 bath, C/A, WD, DW, nice, $875, flexible lease, 488-5446. Great houses close to UNL available in May or earlier. 13? 0644: • 1237 Court, 3BR, $650 • 1438 N. 21,4BR, $800 • 1541 N. 26,5BR, $900 •1426 N. 23,5BR, $950 Newer 4 bedroom, 2 garage, 2 bath, family room. $1,050 a month, no pets. Available in May. 432-0115. Nice, clean, 3+2 ranch house. 2 bath, 2 kitchens. Cen tral air. Washer/dryer. No pets. One block to East Cam pus. 1345 N. 39th. $900.432-6264. Two to five bedroom houses near UNL Available May or August. Air conditioning. Washer/dryer. 432-6644. We Love Students! Avoid noisy apartment complexes! Great 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes near UNL. A/C, washers, dyers, dishwashers. Reserve for summer or fall now, and relax! 423-1535. 2 male roommates needed for 4BR duplex. Close to campus. $235/month+ utilities, excluding water. Available May 1. Call 484-7737, ask for Clint or Troy. Near new 3 bedroom townhouse. All appliances includ ing washer/dryer. Double garage, 5 minutes to campus. Call Julie, 440-5958. 1801 “B”, 1 bedroom, fireplace, bay window, $350, pet $30. Also, 1042 “F" 3 bedroom, $650, pet $30. 423-4560. 2131 D or 3010 Center. 4BR, 2 bath. Fireplace, all ap pliances, double garage. $1150. August move-in. 430-6328.__ 3224 Mohawk, 1BR, central air, garage, $395 + depos it. References. No pets. 483-4887 or 483-7720. Newer 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 garage, family room, fire place, no pets or smoking. Available for May and Au gust. Reserve yours now! $875, 432-0415. Newer Close to campus, nice, 3 bedroom, 3 bath, garage, W/D, all appliances, $795. HIP, 465-8911. NEWER-CAMPUS 3 BR, 2 Bath, washer/dryer, garage. Available May. $740.(402)438-3393. SUBLEASE MAY-AUGUST Efficient newer 3BR, 2 bath, 2 car garage, W/D, all ap pliances, between campuses. $795.923 N 30th. 742-5047. Wowl Take your pick! 4BR, 2 bath, $825 or 3BR, 2.5 bath, 2 stall garage, backs to park, $1125 N/S, N/P. Call Julian. 432-7030 or Rembott Homes at 488-9222. HSunny and Cheerful!! 1 Bedroom 2000 J St Clean $310 4 Bedroom, 2 baths, garage 5350 Cooper $795 No Smokers or Pets 440-3000 ***Efficiency Apartments*** Close to City Campus Water, Heat, and Gas Paid Available now. Call 477-4490. ‘STUDIO* Efficiency in B-plex between campuses, appliances, patio, parking, super clean, 2627 Vine, $285.00, 489-4857.' 2 bedroom, dean, furnished, free cable, $390+. Laun dry room, a/c, 1-year lease, 931 G St. 435-0608 after 12pm. BEST PART TEEIIE JOB IN TOWN!!! Flexible Hours Work as few as 8 or up s to 40 houis per week Pick your own schedule Guaranteed hourly rates Awesome commissions Generous Bonuses Free Parking Blocks from Campus $250.00 hiring bonus Call or stop by today 3:00 pm- 9pm and start tomorrow! . . ’ £ . . . JRW SALES TELEMARKETING _1625 “P” STREET 436-3070_ 2 BR, fireplace. Near east campus, bus routes. Available May 10. 325-0491. 3 BR 3 bath, close to downtown, AW/D and security, $735, N/S N/P. Call Julian. 432-7030 or Renbolt Homes at 488-9222. 4 BEDROOM/2 BATHS Built for students. Recently built. Washer/dryer fur nished. Low utilities, parking. Must seel Reserve now for August or May. Call Phoenix Properties 474-5327. ♦ 700 S. 17th FURNISHED ♦ Available now. 2BR $410 and 1BR $360, includes utilities heat/cabie. Laundry. 488-6707,450-8895. Commercial Investment Properties SELECT A HOME TODAY Move-In May 1st NORTH LINCOLN Fountain Glen 436-3452 Highland View 436-3483 Northridge Heights 436-3415 Efficiencies start $390 1 Bedrooms start $440 2 Bedrooms start $550 3 Bedrooms start $635 WEST LINCOLN Lakeview Park 436-3464 ' Folsom Ridge 436-3422 Efficiencies start $440 1 Bedrooms start $465 2 Bedrooms start $585 3 Bedrooms start $720 Select Options Available: • Loft, Den, or 2 story floorpians • Controlled Access Entries • Laundry facilities, W/D hook-up or W/D units in the apartment • Clubhouses with Outdoor Pool a Fitness Facilities www.rentcip.com Equal Housing Opportunity ■3501 Baldwin, 4-plex, 2 BR, nicely decorated, clean, parking. No smoking or pets. Open mid-May for sum mer or year lease. $450.423-4323 or 483-4600. 4910 Madison, 1 bedroom, A/C, references, no pets, $390. Call 483-4887 or 483-7720. 1BR, 2338 E St., mostly graduate students, all new paint, appliances, microwave, ceiling fans. Reserved parking, no smoking/pets, $395. Call 432-3686. Claremont Park Apartments 9th & Claremont 474-7275 Now leasing for August 2000.1,2,3,4 BRs. Walk to campus._ Clean 1 BR apartment, newly remodeled kitchen and bath, rent $295 plus electric. For more information call Melody or Pat, 402-434-2610 or hearing impaired/TDD 402 434-2613. Flexible Leases. 640 S. 12th, $320. 2312 R, $325 432-2288. ★ ★ ★ ★ We’re extending the Housing Fair $pecial. Qualify and lease an apartment for 1 year and recieve last month rent FREE! 1 year too long...we'll deduct $50.00 from the first month’s rent on summer and fat! term leases. Swim, tan, bike to class, from our tree-nestled 1-2 bedroom community. Jones Properties-640 South 20th-475-7262 i • » t i »m s One, two, three bedroom apartments available. 438-0946. Renting for August 2 bedroom, all electric air, laundry, parking, FREE CA BLE, NO PETS/SMOKING. $460/month 1900 Knox. 477-7684. Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, central air, dishwasher, off-street parking, on site laundry. Close to campus. Reasonably priced. 465-8911. * Super Clean 1 BR* Near campus, 3 or 6 month leases, Gas/water/trash paid, appliances, dishwasher, 3 closets, laundry, off-street parking. $365,2504 Vine St. 489-4857._ dfla> Century \Wffr MUSMBIMMfiDBNTOOl We provide: ♦ Locations throughout Lincoln ♦ 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance ♦ Professional & Personable Leasing Staff Call us today! 402-437-8300 This month earn an extra $200 for back to school! Need cash for clothes? Need cash for text hooks? Need cash for school fees? Need cash for supplies? T -TfcC Fvtra-1 Earn up to S200 a month ^ J 11« nr donating potentially life-1 When you bring this coupon saving Plasma! Visit our . ■ friendly, modern center 1 ^ A .. and find out more about i ^ AVfHtlS \ ^°^rt“i!ya,0“rn . , cash while helping Others. I One coupon per person. 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