Fight Club: Overrated. Really Good, But Not Perfect

I just saw Fight Club for the first time. I know, I know. I should be ashamed of myself. After all, it is a cult movie from 1999. Directed by David Fincher. Starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. Regarded as such an amazing movie…But, that is just the thing. The movie is so hyped, so adored…I just got more and more unwilling over the years. But this past week has been more or like an Edward Norton week for me- having watched 4 of his movies in a row), so I finally decided to watch Fight Club.

Don’t get me wrong. I liked the movie. Some parts, I even loved. A very good idea, some of the most original and refreshing scenes ever, very fine acting, great music…So what the hell is my problem?

It is rated 8.8 on IMDB. By over 350.000 people. Which means, tons of people think it is one of the best movies ever. Well, I think it is a hell lot better than Pulp Fiction-so if Pulp Fiction is considered to be in the top 5, by all means, make Fight Club number one, even. Be my guest.

But there is something missing with Fight Club. Some scenes take too long, some are too repetitive. Sometimes you feel like the director is telling 3 different stories at once. Helena Bonham Carter is annoying as hell, but yeah- I know that’s the point. But what stopped me from loving this movie:

1) It should have been shorter. 139 minutes? That is too much for this story.

2) The ending is just so…not good. Not original enough. No, really. I’d much rather have Tyler being real and screwing with “Jack”’s head. It takes a great story with a great message and suddenly lands you in a guy ‘s life with a multiple personaliy disorder…But, my real problem with the ending is how they “showed us” Tyler wasn’t real. Sure, there were clues here and there but subtelty was working. That scene at the hotel, with the empty chair just insults your intelligence.

Favourite scene; Edward Norton-his boss- Edward beating himself up. Just brilliant!!!

It is a solid 7.5 from me. Good film. Flawed but really good.

But Se7en – another Finch-Pitt collaboration is much better.

MY OTHER POSTS ON EDWARD NORTON: (They are on my blog so yeah, I love visits)

* 25th Hour

http://pinartarhan.com/blog/25th-hour-with-edward-norton/

* The Painted Veil

http://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-painted-veil-with-naomi-watts-and-edward-norton/

* The Illusionist

http://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-illusionist-with-edward-norton-and-jessica-biel/

* 3 Romantic Roles of Edward Norton

http://pinartarhan.com/blog/3-romantic-roles-of-edward-norton/