talking about my generation...

Rating: Null/10 (4 November 2001)

It's unusual when one of your top 5 movies of all time happens to be only 2 years old... and that movie needs to have REALLY made an impact on you. Fight Club enters the ranks alongside The Godfather and Citizen Kane as one of those movies which not only makes you sit up and take notice, but, as with the other two previously mentioned films, leaves you walking away from the cinema looking at life as you probably never have before. This is a difficult statement for anyone born before the 1960's to comprehend, for two reasons: first, the pre-60s generation by default have NO clue as to what the message of the film concerns- it is solely aimed at anyone between the age of 24-35; and second, in their eyes, the movie portrays negative propaganda with regards to the society we now live in, as well as simply being a movie filled with unnecessary violence with the 'negative' tone acting as a backdrop.
If you are between 24-35 and reading this, do yourself a favour and watch Fight Club. It WILL open your eyes to your life. Unfortunately for my generation, we do live a lifestyle where the label on the back of our jeans, in our eyes, defines us as a certain type of person. Eventually, after slogging our guts out in jobs which go against our conscience in many cases, jobs which reduce intelligent young men into vegetables, we believe that the only way to counter-balance this is to create an artificial lifestyle which temporarily provides us with a feeling of inner well-being, until it gets bad again, in which case we find other ways to 'upgrade' ourselves.
Whether, as the film portrays, fighting is the solution to this generational problem, is upto the individual to decide after having watched the film. One thing is for certain, though. I am totally unsurprised by the comments of so-called 'expert' critics such as Kenneth Thuran of the LA Times, who completely missed the zeitgeist of the movie, and the numerous messages it carries. I also believe that Fight Club is a movie which may or may not be understood the first time by everyone who needs to watch it, but it will be one day. Watch Fight Club now and try and get yourself into motion, or watch it in 20 years' time and get depressed.
On the point of violence, I do appreciate the fact that the level of violence portrayed in the movie may disturb some viewers. However, firstly, the level of violence is justified and required for the film to make the necessary impact. Secondly, where were the anti-violence lobby when Braveheart and Gladiator were released (both movies I am fond of)?
This is a movie which will be truly respected and appreciated after ten years, when people will notice how precise a reflection it was of generation-x. Well done to Fincher, Pitt and Norton for ensuring that the movie hit home in the most explosive way. Its purpose was, after all, to create waves, which, I'm glad to say, it has. From round-table pub discussions to walking into work without your tie, Fight Club has already made its mark. 10 out of 10.