Interesting premise. Great acting. Still doesn't work.

Rating: 3/10 (22 November 2005)

Upon seeing the film a second time, the big picture became clearer. I was told by a friend to rent the film again and watch it until the end, because I walked out of the first viewing half way through and I "missed the whole point." The film does make a poignant statement, albeit in a very graphic manner.
Honestly I don't care how clever it is, that level of violence is absolutely and completely gratuitous despite all the claims to the contrary. I'm not a prude; I loved Scarface, Blow, Full Metal Jacket, etc. The violence in those films rose to the level that supported and enhanced the plots. Not only did the violence in Fight Club exceed what was necessary to get the point across, it exceeded the threshold of what most people can tolerate. I know some will say that's the point, but I disagree. The violence is nearly pornographic. How anyone has the stomach to get through this movie is beyond me. Not because it's a bad movie, but because it perverts what it could have done more subtly.