A Knockout Satire

Rating: 9/10 (26 April 2011)

Fight Club: A Knockout Satire
The first rule of Fight Club is "You do not talk about Fight Club". For a film that depicts its characters breaking all the rules, we will ignore this statute and delve into a world where punching someone in the face is considered a favor and nothing is as it seems. Released in 1999 by director by David Fincher, Fight Club is a film adaptation by the novel of the same name, written by Chuck Palahniuk. Having read this novel, it is not very often I get to say, the movie is much better than the book, due primarily to the superb acting and interesting cinematic techniques, which completely, yet pleasantly, surprised me. With a heavyweight class including Edward Norton (American History X, 25th Hour), Brad Pitt (Se7en, Inglorious Basterds) and Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech, Big Fish), Fight Club is sure to deliver a lethal unexpected right hook sure to knock you on your ass.
The film focuses on two men, an uptight insomniac yuppie (Norton) trying to hit rock bottom in life and a carefree soap salesman named Tyler Durden (Pitt), who attempts to make Norton's character reevaluate his values and priorities. Through a new form a therapy that includes viscously brawling with strangers, the values of our society are addressed. Eventually this testosterone-fueled violent therapy evolves into something truly sinister yet celebrated amongst this underground men's club. This whole plot is tied together by the relationship between the two main characters, their opposing views on a unique woman in their life, Marla (Bonham Carter), and the disintegration of a once-promising life.
If you think that this movie is simply another senseless violent movie like Fighting or any other teen angst movie where the main star has to fight a bully for a better life, I urge you to think again. Unique cinematographic techniques and at times a nonlinear story line, part of the original Palahniuk novel, it leaves the viewer somewhat disoriented and detached from reality, which ties in perfectly with the feelings of the characters. Addressing the state of the United States, and most industrialized nations, in its consumerist state, far past the necessary components of life, the film makes the viewer ask themselves what they truly need in life instead of "What sort of dining set defines me as a person?" The film satirizes the world of consumers and culminates with a big bang, fittingly set to the song "Where is My Mind" by the Pixies, sure to leave viewers awestruck. This idea of consumerism taking over is something that most, if not all, of us can relate to.
I would not recommend this movie to anyone with self-esteem issues, which repeatedly informs the Fight Club participants, as well as the viewer that "they are not a special unique snowflake". That, paired with images of Brad Pitt fighting shirtless is enough to make any self-respecting person's positive self-regard waver. Also if anyone is a fan of Martha Stewart steer clear because let's just say Tyler Durden does not think too highly of her, and lets the viewer know this in a scene with some very colorful language. The film is rated R, because of scenes like this, for disturbing and graphic depiction of violent anti-social behavior, sexuality and language. There is possibly no better way to summarize the film more quickly than the rating of "violent anti social behavior." The film is filled with ultra-violent realistic fight scenes; though they are very bloody at times, they serve a purpose and propel the story forward, instead of other films in similar categories where the idea of the film is simply violence for violence's sake. This film is something much more than that.
For those who have never been in a fight, those who do not want to die without any scars or anyone who has recently developed insomnia based upon an unfulfilled lifestyle dedicated to collecting various consumer goods, I truly recommend this film. A fast paced film that hits you and hits you nonstop and does not quit until the end when you are forced to tap out, question your beliefs and values and, experience premature enlightenment, Fight Club is a truly remarkable and unique film. The film can change your entire idea about the life you lead. It makes you question yourself and more specifically who, if given the option, you would fight. Gandhi, Lincoln, William Shatner; in the world of Fight Club everyone is a potential opponent and nothing is out of bounds, so long as there are no shoes and no shirts.