11. Fight Club

DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB. Everybody knows, without even seeing the film what the first rule of Fight Club (1999) is. Will I be breaking the rules by reviewing this film? Perhaps. Although, if you are in search of one of the best cinematic experiences of your life, watch this film.

This excellent film is not what it may seem on the surface. It is an anti-capitalist piece of work, an aspect of the film which is rarely discussed. Fight Club confronts issues with the impact materialism has on mental health and searches for an escape, an alternative to consumption, to meet the needs of the mind through the form of an outlet.

A man who works in an office teams up with a soap maker and they become the founders of a fight club which escalates into something beyond reckoning. Fight Club stars, Edward Norton as the narrator and co-star – for which he was paid $2.5m. Brad Pitt stars as Tyler Durden and accepted $17.5m for the lead role (IMDb). The film also features Helena Bonham Carter as the love interest, which was a pleasant surprise. Fight Club is masterfully directed by David Fincher and is based on the 1996 book of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. Fincher has also directed Seven, Gone Girl and the Social Network.

The books we have read in school suggest the American Dream is fractured; whereas Fight Club exposes the Dream as a lie (Renner, 2019). Fight Club expertly reveals the flaws of our modern world through its principles and legitimacy. This is demonstrated by the nature of some of the fights, where real life combat took place and the actors actually hit each other to film certain scenes.

I scored this film a high 72 because of the complex storytelling which overlaps several genres and is a combination of being a: thriller, action, dark comedy, and drama film. My only issue is the story should be seen in a more political light, because it has a distinctly socialist agenda which seems to have been forgotten by its audience, who tends to focus on the raw nature of the brutality the actors endure. With that said the film is brilliant and unique and to be really appreciated, should be watched twice.

Judging Criteria

SCRIPTURAL INTEGRATION - 20 points: 14

STORY/SCREENPLAY - 10 points: 7

DIRECTOR - 10 points: 8

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 10 points: 7

EDITOR - 10 points: 7

PRODUCTION DESIGN - 10 points: 6

ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE or SCORE EFFECTIVENESS (if not original) - 10 points: 8

SOUND DESIGN - 10 points:7

ACTING - 10 points: 8

TOTAL SCORE 100 POINTS. : 72