How much do you know about a fight if you've never seen this film?

Rating: 9/10 (16 March 2008)

"How much do you know about yourself if you've never been in a fight?" This tagline from Brad Pitt's (Thelma and Louise) character Tyler Durden is both intriguing and controversial, a great set up for one of the best psychological dramas of the 90s.
Pitt stars alongside Edward Norton (American History X) who plays the narrator, a guy who is struggling with life and seeks solitude from self help classes. And one night, he meets Tyler Durden, a strong and powerful man who shows him what he can do with a little enthusiasm and force.
As the narrator, Norton excels as he dives deep within his soul to reveal how depressing his life has become. Pitt's strong and forceful portrayal of Tyler Durden is excellent and shows the difference between the two characters. The opposites include the positive and the negative thinking between the two, the strong and weak and more so, the over thinking and the getting on with it mind set, a true portrayal of what goes on inside a person's head.
From the director of seven, David Fincher brings a succinct portrayal of a person's mind to the audience with a fast flowing and consistent use of excellent shots. Fast flowing montages are used to create a representation of how life can go by quickly and the use of flashbacks is also a powerful motive to represent life and time.
The brutality behind the fight club is strong and again shows an incentive that the mind can create.
Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd) is also excellent in her supporting role as the depressed Marla Singer and the juxtaposition of her and The Narrator shows a dark side of attraction and togetherness.
The plot is consistent and very succinct on its issues of violence and Pyscological. The setting s are superb, being especially dark creates the mood and tension which were definitely needed. Though I was personally slightly confused by the ending, it was a remarkable film and again, one of the best dramas that have ever been filmed.