Let’s start by saying we’re fully aware that we are about to break the first rule, but that’s okay. Twenty-five years ago today, director David Fincher gave us Fight Club, a super macho flick filled with intense violence and high-contrast color grading, all while solidifying Brad Pitt and Edward Norton as elite actors.
Make no mistake: This film was not well received at its initial release and was arguably misunderstood. It tanked at the box office, was torn to shreds by critics, and was considered to be an acquired taste. I mean, who wants to see a film about a depressed insomniac that finds solace in a stranger who sells soap (that pink bar is famous) and “runs” an underground fighting club? Based on Chuck Palahniuk’s first published novel, it follows an unnamed protagonist (Norton) through a series of restless nights that eventually lead him to meet Tyler Durden (Pitt).
Pitt spoke about how the film had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and audiences weren’t feeling the comedic moments. “First joke comes up and it’s just crickets. It’s dead silence. And another joke and it’s just dead silence. This thing is not translating.” It didn’t land back then, but boy is it a cult classic now.
“The first rule of fight club is you don’t talk about fight club,” is definitely a heavily quoted line. You ask any male above the age of 27 to name ten of their favorite movies and I can bet money that nine times out of ten, Pulp Fiction and Fight Club land on their list (ironically, both are celebrating anniversaries this week). It isn’t one of those films that you watch for the plot or action, but rather a comfort piece that you can throw on no matter what mood you’re in. Just lost your job and sitting at home? Throw on Fight Club. Having some friends over and want something playing in the background? Put on Fight Club.
Whether you can quote it word for word or have only seen it once, almost everyone you meet is familiar with it and the impact it had in the world of movies. It’s pure chaos from start to finish as the bloody fight sequences only get more intense as the film progresses. If there was one word to describe the film to someone who hadn’t seen it, grungy would be the best fit. Pitt taking on this role might be one of the best career decisions he made as he was fresh off of Meet Joe Black. Actors tend to get type cast, especially ones who have a certain appearance, and, in Pitt’s case, he could easily have been labeled nothing more than a pretty boy. Fight Club canceled that out as it was such a grimy dark and twisted role that took him to a different level. While the 1999 flick is categorized as a “guy movie,” Pitt’s peak male physique definitely drew in the ladies.
So why do audiences love Fight Club more now than back then? The film simply doesn’t abide by any rules, it just is what it is; take it or leave it. The acting is stellar, with Helena Bonham Carter showcasing her amazing talent. Some often forget Jared Leto was in it too. When people discuss their favorite films these days, their lists aren’t defined by the ones that blew up the box office. Instead, we choose to compile our list with movies that made us feel something or where we were at a particular time in our life when we first saw it.
The plot twist alone was so mind blowing that it is worthy of being considered a great piece of work. Everything that built up to that reveal was so well crafted and thought out that it made you question your own ability to pick up on details and pay attention. When you think of some of the best plot twists of all time, there’s The Sixth Sense and Fight Club, plain and simple (fun fact: they both came out the same year).
Not that it was even a conversation about Fight Club being Oscar-worthy. It did receive one Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Effects/Editing. Norton’s performance is to be talked about as well, as he beautifully depicted a character who reflects an unsafe level of self-hate. When it’s revealed (spoiler alert, but it’s been 25 years) that he was imagining Tyler the whole time, the backtracking of the events we see unfold throughout the movie are simply genius.
Fincher didn’t miss a beat as everything checked out after you rewatch it trying to catch a mistake. Tyler was simply not there, and it all makes sense given the nature of the Narrator being an insomniac. It gets deeper when politics get sprinkled in during the third act, perhaps being the point where people lost interest back then.
Fight Club has many layers, and as you peel each one back, you discover just how truly revolutionary this project is. It doesn’t try to be one the best films of all time, but it does have a loyal following that harp on just how ahead of its time it really was.