This week, we are diving into a modern-day classic: Fight Club.
Directed by David Fincher and based on Chuck Palahniuk’s gritty novel, this film isn’t just a movie; it’s a wake-up call.
Fight Club stirred controversy upon its release in 1999, sparking intense debates and discussions. Despite its rocky start, the film gained a strong following through its home video sales, earning it the status of a cult classic. In 2009, The New York Times dubbed it as the “defining cult movie of our time”. It dives into the frustrations of our inescapable modern condition.
The story follows the steps of the unnamed insomniac narrator, unsatisfied with his life. His life takes a series of unexpected turns after he meets a soap salesman, Tyler Durdan (Brad Pitt).
Fight Club is a crucial watch — and rewatch — for a few big reasons!
It’s a mirror to our reality:
Fight Club speaks to us all because it’s a raw look at our obsession with consuming. Edward Norton’s character symbolises our collective psyche steered into living lives defined by shopping carts or Ikea catalogues.
As a response, he creates an underground fight club where men beat their dissatisfaction away. It’s extreme, yes, but it challenges you to think about what truly makes you alive.
“An outrageous mixture of brilliant technique, puerile philosophising, trenchant satire and sensory overload, Fight Club is the most incendiary movie to come out of Hollywood in a long time. It’s a mess, but one worth fighting about,” wrote David Ansen for Newsweek.
It’s a masterpiece:
Norton, Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter deliver intense yet authentic performances that bring depth to the story.
They give us a window into characters dealing with identity and existential crisis with an infinity of nuances.
Technically, the movie is a cinematic gem. Fincher’s unique style, with special effects, quick cuts, messy frames and an eclectic soundtrack, turns the story into a visceral experience.
It’s one of those rare movies that allows you to discover something new about it every time you watch it — a rare feat that underscores Fincher’s genius.
How to join the club:
Fight Club is one of those movies that sticks with you.
Whether you’re watching it for the first time or the 10th, Fight Club continues to resonate and disturb you today. It challenges you to think about your life and the world. If you needed further convincing, Fight Club garnered 12 award wins and 38 nominations, and has an impressive 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Join the club on Friday, May 3, at 8:30pm on ABC TV Plus and is rated R18+.