This film is Jack's brilliance

Rating: 10/10 (12 February 2000)

Okay, as an 18 year old male, I could well be seen as part of the perfect target audience for this film where Brad Pitt and Edward Norton instigate old-fashioned fighting. However, what I got out of this movie goes far beyond the somewhat superficial desire to just see cool fighting. If you are hesitant to see it because you don't appreciate this simple desire, you could well be missing out on a memorable personal experience.
The movie tackles many issues pertinent to today. For me, it toys with the audience throughout on what the true message of the film is. It talks of the modern consumerist nature of our times, where people are exposed to buy products which are seemingly essential, but far too luxurious to be warranted as part of a survival kit. It delves into man's desire to fight and see blood in a slightly similar way as Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut dealt with certain sexual desires, where I hope people get the message to not necessarily act on their desire to fight, but are honest to themselves about the desire. However I fear that very real Fight Clubs are being organised worldwide now!
When the "His name is Robert Paulsen" scene comes, one can think the main message of the film is making a statement about sociological and propaganda effects when one has a powerful tool to influence people.
*Possible Spoiler in following paragraph*
But when the plot twist comes the biggest message of the film comes out, to me at least. Be honest and resolve your inner conflicts. Even though the film shows this in an insane man, it can be a lesson to all to look at oneself and ask what one wants, and whether it is the best for them. It has a positive tone too in that it says one can do what one wants, from becoming a leader to being incredible in bed.
I must state that these are the messages I got out of the film personally. Unlike Taxi Driver where the messages are extracted in a character driven film, I found this to be a plot and character driven film which makes one make their own deductions. It doesn't tell you the messages, it delves into the issues and makes you deduct the messages.
Accusations that Fight Club is a male film are certainly justified for the obvious reasons. However, women can certainly enjoy this movie just as much as I did when one goes beyond seeing groups of men fight and watch each other.
The film is also seriously funny. It has been labelled a dark comedy which is certainly apt in both respects. From tremendous dialogues (like the "I am Jack's..." moments) to really witty concepts like being addicted to support groups. How do you cure that addiction? Make a support group for it? One immediately sees the problem.
Fincher's direction is brilliant. Certain scenes ammount to perfection with many innovations used successfully. Norton's performance was superb, and I bet Pitt didn't have to be asked twice when he was offered the role of Tyler Durden, an epitome of what one wants to be. What a cool performance.
The movie also quickly delves into the seemingly quiet period the world is going through, where previous historical events totally overshadow our everyday life. I amount this to the difficulty of seeing the present time in a historical context. Saying this, I hope this movie will be seen as a possible historical definition of the modern times we live in.