"Being Tyler Durden" --- Beware of blind devotion to this film.

Rating: 5/10 (5 February 2000)

Not many of the young men praying at this movies alter seem to realize that the film's ending totally derails its entire philosophy up to that point. Till then, this somewhat intoxicating rant against consumer society and the emasculation of the modern male had at least been consistent. The 'surprise' twist and 'happy' ending seem to negate everything that had come before and make it nothing more than a succession of stunningly filmed images surrounded by the character study of a psychotic. The protagonist is basically a loner who needs not only society's recognition, but also the love of a woman. When he can't get these, he turns to violence. TAXI DRIVER explored this theme much better. He also has the need to be someone else, see through others eyes, -- role-play a little. That aspect is explored much better in BEING JOHN MALKOVICH. In the end, though FIGHT CLUB looks great and has some great moments it just does not work well as a film. Many have called this movie the "CLOCKWORK ORANGE of the 90's". Not a chance. In twenty years Stanley Kubrick's film will still be viewed as a classic. FIGHT CLUB will by then be nothing but a distant memory. Final rating, a disappointing 5 out of 10.
Another thought. For over two hours (before the quick-fix happy ending), this movie advocates violence as a way that men can re-establish their place in society. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things that could stand improvement in this world and even American society. There's certainly room for change. But not this way. This film's message is a dangerous one that might be taken to heart by many angry and impressionable young men everywhere. Think about it, ---what makes Ed Norton's character here any different than the skinhead he played in AMERICAN HISTORY X? At least in that film his conversion into a tolerant and decent human being was far more gradual and believable. Those who have blindly embraced FIGHT CLUB's philosophy without seeing these underlying faults and contradictions should view it again from this new perspective. It will give you food for thought.
Lastly, I'd like to point out that I'm perplexed regarding the very high ratings this film seems to be getting from female voters. This is somewhat surprising considering that it is quite anti-female and condescending to women. Perhaps this has something to do with the magnetic presence of Brad Pitt. But then again, that's 'another' form of blinding oneself isn't it.