At the desire to widen my cinema pallette, I have begun to watch older (and some not-so-old) films of different filmmaking styles. Possibly one of my most favourite not-so-old films is David Fincher’s Fight Club starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter. Although this film would not be suitable for everyone’s tastes, certainly not those with no stomach for blood and guts and other disgusting things. It does, however, possess a certain charm that is probably led by Brad Pitt’s character, Tyler Durden.
As with any film Pitt does, Fincher did not pass up the opportunity to have the actor show off his sculpted torso, as Durden rolled around the floor of a dingy basement with his myriad of blood-thirsty soldiers, doing what the title says – fight. This is a story about an insomniac office worker whose name is never mentioned (played by Norton), and whose chance encounter with Durden on a plane transforms his lifestyle to take on an politically ideological stance against capitalism.
The filmic style pertains a devil-may-care entity that holds no regard for anything civil, as Marla (played by Bonham-Carter) casually strolls through a busy road without looking left or right. The film is humorous, if beating yourself up to implicate your boss is considered as humour for you. Not to mention, the ending will certainly surprise the most aware of audiences, as the action takes on a psychological aspect. Without spoiling much details for the reader, this is the kind of film that one would either love or hate – there is no middle ground. However, I suggest that even if you did not enjoy the beginning of the film, one must stick with it and watch its entirety. I promise you, it gets better…but not for Norton’s character.