It may be an out-of-date review, but Fight Club will stand the test of time. There is a sense of comradery between people who have seen Fight Club. We share something special. It’s ironic but you feel like you have joined an exclusive club of Fight Club viewers. And the first rule is… don’t talk about Fight Club.
Once you have seen the movie, you get more references in TV shows, comedy sketches, stand-ups, movies, etc. In my experience, people who have seen the movie can pick up a conversation about the movie like they saw it just yesterday. It is a film many people watch more than once. When someone says they haven’t seen Fight Club, the first reaction is shock, often followed with “we have to watch it together.”
It stands the test of time for a reason. The filmmaking is spectacular. The story carries the movie and keeps us entertained, but the filmmaking adds the perfect visual to the story. The cinematography perfectly captures each scene’s intended pace, shock value, and feeling. Everything about the movie was done with passion and care.
The three main actors, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter have continued to have amazing careers in the industry. Each character is vastly different, and the actors bring perfect energies and styles to their characters. The arc of Edward Norton’s character required a deep understanding of both the story and the character. A skilled actor coupled with hard work and preparation can make a movie. The preparation and deep understanding of these characters felt the same as Austin Butler’s preparation for “Elvis.”
Every part of this movie is what makes it as successful as it is. If you lost either the actors, the cinematography, the story, or the visual effects, it wouldn’t be the same. It’s the perfect combination of sad, mind-boggling, exciting, and character-enriching. I will continue to recommend this movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it, join the club.
Maxwell Burton is a sophomore studying journalism – strategic communications and pursuing a minor in marketing at Ohio University. He serves as the Vice President of Public Relations for Scripps PRSSA. Connect with him on LinkedIn here.