Smart, disturbing 'Psycho'

By Terry Lawson
Knight Ridder News Service

Christian Bale starred in "American Psycho," the 2000 film based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, which hit DVD shelves this week. The movie was granted a minimal release in an R-rated version. Advertiser library photo

Ricki Lake starred in "Hairspray," the 1988 film that is part of a new package of John Waters movies released in a box set. The quirky cult movie was also made into a Broadway musical. Gannett News Service

One that clearly does is the 2000 adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel, "American Psycho." Director Mary Herron put her own spin on Ellis' alleged satire of America's Reagan-era consumerist addiction and infatuation with violence and turns the book's graphic, misogynist story of a Wall Street narcissist (Bale) who views sexual serial killing as sport into an indictment.

"American Psycho" was famously defanged by the Motion Picture Association's ratings board and was granted a minimal release in an R-rated version. This "Killer's Collection Edition" (Lions Gate) contains little that had not been reinstated for its previous DVD release (though director Herron's commentary is informative and insightful), but if the thought of this movie repulsed you, you could be surprised at how smart — and yes, darkly, disturbingly witty — "Psycho" turned out to be.

'Lifeguard' a saver

Sometimes a movie has an effect way beyond its actual accomplishment. Its impact is enhanced when you introduce the film to someone and they appreciate the film in a similar way. Better yet, you meet someone and you discover you share an enduring appreciation for a movie that most people have never heard of.

I've had it happen so many times with "Lifeguard" (Paramount) that I have to wonder if the 1976 drama, about a Los Angeles lifeguard (Sam Elliot) who has to decide whether to "grow up and get a real job" after being reunited with his old girlfriend at his 15th high school reunion, is not nearly as obscure as I thought.

Elliot, he of the thick mustache and thicker drawl, would go on to define contemporary Marlboro-man macho in numerous features and miniseries of the '70s, but never became a star like Tom Selleck, an easier-going, less-conflicted variation.

Elliot is Rick, whose nagging feeling that the sweet life of sunshine, beach bunnies and the occasional flight-attendant tryst might just be a hedge against reality is brought into focus when he sees his newly divorced old flame, Cathy, at that reunion.

The Paul Williams-written theme, "Time and Ride," has been reinstated after being excised for the TV version, and though there is no supplementary material, it does benefit from a new digital transfer and 2.0 mono soundtrack.

Paramount also is releasing the underrated 1975 crime drama "Hustle" (Paramount), starring Burt Reynolds as a Los Angeles cop involved with an expensive French hooker, played by Catherine Deneuve. It's a smart, involving and perfectly pitched period piece.

The same can be said of "Starting Over," the late Alan J. Pakula's grown-up examination of 1970s relationships. It stars Reynolds, in what may be his best movie performance after "Boogie Nights," as a newly divorced guy who finds himself very attracted to a fix-up Jill Clayburgh. That inspires his ex (Candice Bergen) to attempt to win him back, in one of the funniest would-be-seduction scenes ever filmed.

'Bewitched'

In anticipation of the big-screen version today arrives "Bewitched, The Complete First Season" (Columbia-TriStar). Be careful when you buy: Although the groundbreaking show about mixed marriage (a witch and a mortal) was filmed in black and white, Columbia is also offering a colorized version.

'John Waters' box set

Though it was released last week, a box set of films by one of the great provocateurs turned up in the mailbox too late to be reviewed. But "The John Waters Collection" aka "Very Crudely Yours" (New Line) is simply too delicious and decadent to be ignored.

New Line has packaged three of his pan-sexual outrages from the '70s — "Pink Flamingos," "Female Trouble" and "Desperate Living" — with three of his still daring but less offensive titles, 1981's "Polyester," 1988's almost-normal "Hairspray," 1998's "Pecker," and his NC-17 absurdity from last year, "A Dirty Shame."

There's also a bonus disc of outtakes and interviews with the forever-entertaining sleazemeister.