Fight Club may be that movie that critics just got wrong. Early on, the movie failed to find its footing at the box office. Many critics (at the time) slammed it for being surface-deep, overly violent, and too pro-anarchy. In more recent years, the movie has earned much more praise, even earning a well-deserved cult status. There are layers to the movie. To me, initial criticism of the movie just being about guys who fight and punch each other sounds like something that would come out of the mouth of someone who had never seen the movie before. There is an extra layer to the pro anarchy and fascism ideas that is, more than anything, darkly funny and mocking satirization of our consumerist culture of the late 1990s. David Fincher's direction works, shining as some of the best of his career. Fincher expertly manages to bring attention to little details that you might not expect. For example, nearly every shot of the movie has a Starbucks cup somewhere. The movie also sparkles with outstanding performances, particularly from Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton have an excellent back and forth. Yes, the characters may be morally reprehensible people, but this is an area where I feel the direction, writing, and performances all blend together. You actually find yourself rooting for these characters, even though you know you probably shouldn't. One reason why I feel the screenplay in
Fight Club is so strong is the movie's quotability. This is one of my absolute favorite movies. It flows really well in ways a lot of other movies don't, at least for me. It's pretty slick in its editing, splicing in little elements that you don't really notice unless you've seen it many, many times. This is a movie that really has stood the test of time. It's something that I myself constantly hear and see referenced in pop culture. I love this movie, and have absolutely no issues with it. I'd go on, but I've probably broken the rules enough as it is.
10 / 10
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