An energetic, surprising movie

Rating: Null/10 (17 October 1999)

Suffice to say I got much more out of this movie than I anticipated. I was expecting a little of the ol' Ultra Violence with a message that men will be animals, but there is a lot beyond that. Where American Beauty was about looking inside yourself to get help, this film is more of looking for others, those that share your pain to help you achieve normality. The group ethos of this film, carried throughout all the characters, is what makes it so good. The grand conflict of the Davids versus the Goliaths has you rooting for them while at the same time recoiling at their anti-social behavior. It really made me think about my place in society. Aside from the plot, the visual style is surprisingly and shockingly funny; things others would just narrate Fincher shoves into your face as close as he can. Things get a little surreal sometimes, but not to the point of confusion. Norton and Pitt are an awesome combo, playing off each other excellently. I would go so far to argue that the 'surprise' ending is more satisfying than The Sixth Sense and its tone is altogether more ironic than anything else...a great, loopy ride. Definitely one of the top ten movies of the year.