Fight Club (1999) 4 stars ****

I Am Jack's Greatly Written Review

We all (referring to guys) have our inner Tyler Durden. Our attempts to live simple lives, and still be satisfied in the end, are futile. Everyday we are faced with ever type of confrontation there is. Everyday there are at least two people that make us just want to beat the s**t out of. All guys want to release their inner Tyler Durden, but 99.7% of us won't and the ones that try won't succeed. David Fincher's adaptation of Chuck Palanhiuk's transgressive masterpiece is one of the most vital modern films that has been made. The film is stays true to the book, and the changes that are made do not cheat the reader out of any of the experience. It could even be said that some of the changes actually added even more intensity.

Chuck Palanhiuk's novel was in no way an instant hit. The book sales were no number worth mentioning. The film, which was released October 15, 1999 (over 3 years after the books publication date of August 17, 1996) was not a huge box office success. It is shocking to hear that statement. Now in contrast, since the release of the film its cultural impact has been shocking. Both book and film were attacked by very harsh criticism, for its graphic violence and nihilistic views/themes. Many viewers of this film will agree with many of Durden's beliefs, I myself included, but hopefully only to an extent. Themes of this film are dark and shockingly relateable. The constant fear, and confusion of the meaning of life. Fight Club features very hopelessly dark opinions on God's "caring" for the human race. These views will appall many, but in some sort of way relate to even more.

An unnamed office employee (Edward Norton) faces severe insomnia, and finds himself losing grasp on the world. He meets a mysterious soap salesman, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). The two men create an underground club where "everyday" men can come and fight other men and get away from their worthless lives. Tyler Durden doesn't just stop at fight clubs, he has a plan, that he plans on using to shock the world. Our unnamed protagonist finds himself becoming taken over by Tyler, and Tyler's plan.

The top candidates for the directing job were, Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects), Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), and finally the man who in the end won the job, David Fincher (Se7en). David Fincher's direction was one of the few things that wasn't criticized when Fight Club was initially released. With a very dark and unique plot, Fincher had his work cut out for him. Fincher jumped to the A-list for directors, as a result of his spectacular job with the murder thriller Se7en (which also featured Brad Pitt). Using dark, pulpy direction Fincher depicts how insomnia sufferers, when not sleeping, are in pretty much in a whole different world. Fight Club is the perfect guy film, and Fincher's direction, while not being as noticed is just as manly as the film. Fincher uses very unique and unprecedented camera angles. He allows viewers to experience our unnamed protagonist's insomnia like we are apart of it.

Russell Crowe (L.A. Confidential) was the first candidate for the role of Tyler Durden. Brad Pitt (Se7en) was the other candidate and he ultimately won the role because of his determination to make up for the failure of Meet Joe Black. Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting) and Sean Penn (Carlito's Way) were early candidates for the role of the unnamed protagonist. But when Penn and Damon both signed on for other roles the third and final choice was, Edward Norton. Fight Club the film faced the challenge of bringing the complicated, and intimidating character of Tyler Durden to the big screen. Chuck Palanhiuk created one of the most iconic characters in the history of arts. If the film made even one mistake with Durden's character or his beliefs the film would be a failure. But thankfully Fight Club brought his persona to the screen to a perfection. I will even say that the film added to his icon status, and significance. Many of the changes from novel to film were adding Durden's assistance in various parts that in the book had not featured him. I will not give any examples because I don't want to risk taking away any of the effect of reading the actual book. Pitt perfectly brings the testosterone filled, violence obssesed, and always quote ready character of Durden to the big screen. Pitt as Durden is one of the top 10 most iconic charcters in film history. Even as Durden's views get more outrageous, viewers will not be able to help still agreeing (even if just minorly) with his views. Edward Norton's performance is not as iconic as Pitt's, but is still very memorable. He does a splendid job with the complicated, and ever changing personality of the unnamed protagonist.

Fight Club is a significant film thats legacy just keeps growing as time goes on. This may be a very scary thought, but I will say it anyway. America is going through rough times, and people are going to always increasing extents to change the world. There are so many people that believe Tyler's views, many psychos that think Tyler Durden's views could really work in making the world a better place. A scary thought, but oh so true. Fight Club's impact just keeps growing, there are actual fight clubs that are up a in progress today. Bruised and scared men who believe they are the world's trash that are craving attention. Even if the attention is negative. Fincher knew what he was doing when he took this directing job, he knew how significant and great this film was going to be. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton have two legendary performances as two of the most relateable characters ever created. Fight Club just keeps getting more popular. Its quotes are repeated around the world and views will always be in the back of our minds. Watch this film, but make sure to prepare for the ride.

"What you have to consider" he says "is the possibility that God doesn't like you. Could be, God hates us. This is not the worst thing that could happen." How Tyler saw it was that getting God's attention for being bad was better than no attention at all. Maybe God's hate is better than His indifference. - Expert from the book Fight Club.