Fight Club Review
by "Jack Choo" (chooea AT singnet DOT com DOT sg)November 25th, 1999
FIGHT CLUB
(1999)
Reviewed by Jack Choo
Directed by David Fincher
Starring : Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham-Carter
Rating : ****1/2 out of *****
FIGHT CLUB is Fincher s third movie outing and with every film, he seems to out-do himself in style and technical filming. In SEVEN, his dark shots sets the standard for possibly one of the moodiest Hollywood film ever. In THE GAME (with Michael Douglas and Sean Penn), Fincher continues his penchant for technical mood only this time, blended with action sequences. With FIGHT CLUB, he explores CGI and the impressive Virtual Camera (used to much success in THE MATRIX) interlaced with his trademark stylized dark shots.
The story revolves first-perspective, around Jack (Norton), who has been suffering insomnia for quite some time. In his desperate state to solve this problem which is affecting his career and social life, he enrols into various support-groups. The problem is, the support groups do not support directly his problem; he involves himself in groups supporting testicular-cancer, AIDS and many others. Somehow, the talking and the crying involved in the groups helped him to sleep well at night. Before long, they became his addiction; attending them everyday after work. However, the effect disappeared when he discovers another person, Marla Singer (Carter), who attends all these groups as well, apparently with similar intentions.
He befriends Tyler Durden (Pitt) during one of his business trips and unknowingly makes a friends who will change his life forever. Tyler is into soap making, well at least that s one of his weird forte. Jack s life takes a turn when Tyler asks him to punch him. From then on, they meet up regularly, and well, just simply punch each other s guts out. Soon, they develop a following and when they group became too big to just hold a slugfest in the open, they decide to take it underground. Thus FIGHT CLUB is created. The first rule of fight club is : you don t tell anyone about FIGHT CLUB, second rule of fight club is : you don t tell anyone about FIGHT CLUB, third rule of fight club is : you don t tell anyone about FIGHT CLUB
FIGHT CLUB is simply so bizarre, its hard to believe that audience can actually immerse so easily in it. Its pure fun. Brutal ..but fun. Superb acting from Norton (fresh from AMERICAN HISTORY X) and Pitt. Norton once again demonstrates his acting versatility, from buff (AMERICAN HISTORY X) to geek in FIGHT CLUB. Pitt s neurotic Tyler really scared the shit out of me but still, very adorable. Meat Loaf s lactating bodybuilder role is unforgettable. Fincher does it yet again, you just can t imagine another director doing this movie any better.
FIGHT CLUB is fresh, funny and brutal. A definite must-see for all!
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