More than a kick in the teeth

Rating: 9/10 (2 December 1999)

A lot of people, having no other information than the purposely vague first promotional preview, will go see this movie because of the fight scenes. And sure enough, they get plenty of them-blood and guts (and teeth) included. Still, this movie actually has a plot, and it's not another rehash a la "Bloodsport" or "Best of the best". People are not punching each other to death for money or for some misplaced and misguided sense of honor. This is not Ultimate Fighting on film.
Edward Norton plays one side of a coin. An ordinary Joe who is torn between self-pity because of his drab, meaningless existence, and a growing self-loathing triggered by a feeling of having sold out to "the system". Helena Bonham Carter and Meatloaf provide hilarious performances as perpetual support group attendees, adding just the right amount of dark humor for the viewers to let their guard down. Enter Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden, the face of anti-establishment, the voice of the rage.
Tyler Durden is the type of character you follow around with a morbid fascination, scared of what he might do next but shivering with anticipation because you can't wait to see it. He hovers menacingly in our peripheral vision waiting for the moment when our consciousness will be caught off guard. And the rest. is something you'll have to see for yourself. Go see Fight Club. and when you're done mopping up your brains from the floor, see it again.