great acting too

Rating: Null/10 (22 December 2004)

I think the author of this story knows something about Tibetan Buddhism, but maybe not enough, or maybe he confused what he does know with other views, such as a Robert Bly-ish "rediscovery of primitive masculinity" sort of view. And above all, this movie is a (dark) comedy, so even what truths are pointed at are in the next breath mocked and undermined. In that sense the movie really is a nontraditional, Gen-X product. But I find the possible dharmic messages more interesting.
The Narrator seems to have developed a clear-sighted nausea for the repetitive, numbing, and small way he and others live. He meets/projects his "true self" in the form of highly energetic guru, Tyler Durden. Through some outrageous means, Tyler helps the Narrator and others to feel a new urgency in living. He helps them to know that death could come at any time, helps them go toward pain rather than trying to evade the inevitable, and he requires that they give up some of their cherished beliefs about their separateness and specialness. However, somehow things start to tilt too far toward nihilism, and liberation from suffering has to mean liberation from (the idea of?) the guru. First there is Ed Norton, then there is no Ed Norton, then there is.
The story was a little too either-or for my taste. Either you live a meaningless life or you are hyped up on the super-stimulation of near-death experiences. Either you are a numb consumer or you are a midnight vandal. Either you live in a sterile environment or a rotting one. Etc. Really, one can wake up and see, hear, smell, taste, touch - anytime, anywhere. That is the true marvel of our precious lives. We are intelligent and kind, naturally. No advertiser can permanently take that away from us!
Obviously the author of the story and those who made the movie have no obligation to send this or any message to their viewers. But when Bob says he found "something better than the self-help meetings: Fight club," it would be good to know why. Why is the super-stimulation of a fight better than the moderate stimulation of listening to and speaking with others? Why is adrenaline better than, say, endorphins, or, for that matter, basic appreciation of the many surprises we encounter each day?
A first-rate film for discussing with friends!