If at first you don't succeed...

Rating: 10/10 (5 October 2002)

I must admit, the first time I saw Fight Club I was visually, mentally and emotionally overstimulated; however, at the prompting of a friend, I watched it again and was able to grasp and appreciate the raw, brutal honesty portrayed in it. It's reminiscent of Wall Street in that it critiques our generation, our attitudes, the environment we either helped to create or continue to perpetuate by doing nothing to stop it. Others have commented on the brilliance of the cast and crew (most especially David Fincher and Ed Norton), so I will avoid that topic. I will say, however, that the movie prompted me to read Chuck Palahniuk's book (of the same name, on which the movie is based), and this taught me it is always better to read the book after the movie than vice versa. If you enjoy the movie, and I'm willing to bet you will, please read the book--there are so many profound observations and character insights for which the movie simply has no room (that is, time). I highly recommend any of his other books, especially _Survivor_, which may or may not be made into a movie (in the post-9/11 American society, it is hard to find a studio willing to back a project with a odless] plane hijacking). If you don't like the movie the first time around, please give it a second chance. Watch it again--and then again, and again. You'll find more details, clues, special authenticating touches every time you see it.