An unforgettable motion picture

Rating: Null/10 (27 March 2002)

Visceral. Powerful. Kinetic. Compelling. These are a few of the adjectives one could use to describe David Fincher's Fight Club, arguably one of the best films of the year 1999. Fincher's theatrical adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel is a an absurd and satirical thriller that never ceases to amaze me due to its superb plot, acting, and direction. Edward Norton, the narrator is a pessimist, a fed-up modern day adult who trudges through his mundane existence deprived of an outlet to express his feelings, which results in his insomnia. To assuage his disorder, be begins to attend support groups for victims of cancer that provides him with an emotional release that allows him to sleep until he confronts another faker, Marla Singer (Helena Boham-Carter), an even greater cynic than he. While on a business trip, he meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a soap manufacturer and salesman, whose outlook on life inspires him. They form a fight club, where men can disperse their rage by viciously pummeling eachother. Doesn't seem too much or appealing to the average viewer, right? Wrong. Fight Club has far more to offer than that plot synopsis, which really doesn't do it justice. I won't elaborate any further upon this. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you. Fight Club boasts five impressive performances, especially from the three leads: Norton, Pitt, and Bonham-Carter as well as two supporting actors, singer-turned-actor Meat Loaf and Jared Leto. Fincher's direction is characteristically flashy without being overbearing, as displayed in his other efforts such as Alien 3, Seven, and Panic Room. One especially memorable sequence was when he depicts the furniture in Norton's apartment as magazine clipouts, including dotted-line frames and captions. There is so much more I could compliment this movie upon, but it is so outstanding, I recommend you stop reading this and see this movie. Right now!
Grade: A+