This movie can
be misconstrued as a perpetuator of violence, but it’s actually a tough
showcase of a misplaced idea of manhood, where men take it out on each other
all in the name of the thrill of adrenaline. It takes a while to get into
loving Fight Club, but the moment you’re hooked, it becomes a movie you’d
like to own. The film showcases great cinematography—since most of the events
take place at night, the director and cinematographer had to make the best of
extra fluorescent lights and well-lit street locations. The gritty, dark
visuals perfectly match the raw energy of the story.
Fight Club is
based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film was
directed by David Fincher (Se7en (1995) and The Curious Case of
Benjamin Button (2008), both of which also starred Brad Pitt). The movie
features an unnamed narrator played by Edward Norton. The narrator (Norton)
tells us about his life, his white-collar job, and how he lived a monotonous
routine that he eventually grew tired of. Breaking away from this routine, he
started something that became so big he couldn’t control it. It’s a wild ride
that makes you question modern life and its emptiness.
The unnamed
narrator starts a club with his new friend from a bar, Tyler Durden (Brad
Pitt). The club features men taking it out on each other, fighting bare-fisted
just for the thrill. It’s brutal, yes, but there’s something oddly freeing
about it, like shedding society’s expectations.
The club grows
into a cross-country phenomenon, with Tyler and the unnamed narrator seen as
the club presidents. They take turns traveling to ensure the club is well-run
in various locations. What starts as a small, underground movement turns into
something much bigger—and far more dangerous.
To prepare for
their roles, both Pitt and Norton took lessons in boxing, taekwondo, grappling,
and soap-making. Pitt even went as far as chipping some of his teeth to avoid
looking too perfect. Filming lasted over 138 days with more than 300 scenes.
The fight scenes were heavily choreographed, with the actors going all out to
make them look realistic. You can feel every punch, and it’s not for the faint
of heart.
This is a movie I highly recommend you get on DVD. However, I do have to warn you that it contains extreme violence, as we see men engage in bare-knuckle fights. But the movie’s twist ending is far more captivating than the violence. By the end, you’re more impressed with how the story unfolds than you are bothered by the intense fight scenes. It’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
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