Character Analysis (Partial Spoiler)

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 1999)

An amazing example of what happens when we let actors jump outside of our expectations of who they are. Brad Pitt (Tyler) is amazing. He is (in my humble opinion)the most perfect actor to play Edward Norton's alter ego. Good looking (but not pretty), tough, crude, loud and deliciously disgusting; these are qualities that I see a shy, Ikea-loving nerd (like Jack is at the beginning of the movie)wanting and needing enough to create Tyler. (Edward Norton is also perfect for his role, being able to portray the average joe-schmoe and progressively becoming believable as a "tough guy"). Tyler could have an attachment to Marla because he didn't have to hold her to the norms of society. Jack could never date the social outcast Marla represented even though they were perfect for each other. If he wanted Marla, he had to become Tyler. If he wanted to keep Marla, he had to destroy Tyler and keep the "new" Jack as he sees himself. This movie represents (to me at least) what we have to do to ourselves to break down the constructs built by society. Often we have to build our own constructs and then when we want to relate to others, aggressively destroy them again.