By 'Sean Bateman.' Positive/Minor Spoilers

Having read this brilliant novel several times (the satire really shines on the 2nd and 3rd) I had a chance to read the 1997 draft of screenplay by Marry Harron and G.T.(?). Fans of the book can sigh some relief, Harron and Co. are on the right track. The 110 page draft is about 90% faithful to book. Only a few scenes and a small bit at the ending have been changed/invented by the screenwriters. This will not be a Hollywood bastard child like "Less Than Zero" was. The opening is different (I personally missed the "Abandon All Hope Yee Who Enter Here") and most of what can be found in the screenplay is actually taken from various chapters in the novel, but condensed and re-arranged. Thus the screenplay version reads more likea single-disc "greatest hits" version of the novel. Of course, due to length, many great scenes have been omitted, but this is to be expected. However, film could benefit with an extra 20 minutes. The dialouge is almost directly from the book, which is often quite funny. Also, the wonderful chapters about Genesis, Huey Lewis and Whitney Houston have been cleverly perserved as dialouge spoken to victims before they meet thier fate. The film uses extensive voice-over narration by Bateman, with much of this dialouge coming from his "thoughts" during his lunch date with secretary chapter (not in film). This is effective but also remains elusive, for it does not discover the same resolutions as in the novel. Ending is almost the same with "This is Not an Exit" perserved.

Overall reaction was positive (I was waiting to hate it) and manages to capture the tone and flow in the book. As for "The Violence", which seems to be a popular topic, it should be noted that the gimmick used in the novel of Bateman describing the violence in equal detail as the food and clothes, is strictly a literary device. Something like this would only distract the viewer (not reader) from the action on screen and would not translate in the same way as the novel. Yes...there are several deaths, including the Bum and dog, Paul Owen, 2 Hookers, Caron the model (different from book) and several other in the Chase Scene. As to what degree they are visually presented is up to the taste of the director. For the curious fan: the U2 concert, Zoo child death, Bethany torture and death, Brother, Mother and several Courtney scenes have been omitted. Although, having Bono singing to Bateman"I am the devil and I am just like you" would have covered the price of admission.


SPOILER ALERT: (Sweep over the area below to read)

Major differences include Bateman's relationship with his secretary Jean. There is no hint of romantic hope like the novel explores. Instead she is used for a suspense scene and later at the end discovers a violent video that Bateman made (not in novel). The character of Price is downplayed and reduced. The Detective's role is expanded into three scenes instead of one, but the dialouge remains the same.

Related Links:

• IMDB: American Psycho (1999)