Fight Club hasn't aged well. And that's putting it mildly. It wasn't that David Fincher and company didn't have something to say. Certainly, they did. It's more that the message is muddled and often lost amidst the overpowering stardom of Brad Pitt.
You cast a movie star, you get a virtuoso performance. That's generally not an issue, but when the character is meant to represent the reprehensible, a conundrum ensues. Pitt's Tyler Durden is a false prophet; we're not supposed to think he's cool; and his ramblings—though hovering ar...
Fight Club hasn't aged well. And that's putting it mildly. It wasn't that David Fincher and company didn't have something to say. Certainly, they did. It's more that the message is muddled and often lost amidst the overpowering stardom of Brad Pitt.
You cast a movie star, you get a virtuoso performance. That's generally not an issue, but when the character is meant to represent the reprehensible, a conundrum ensues. Pitt's Tyler Durden is a false prophet; we're not supposed to think he's cool; and his ramblings—though hovering around actual facts—are not meant to inspire.
Most viewers are aware of this, but for some, that meaning was lost. Thus, the dangerous fanaticism the film is supposed to expose instead becomes a roadmap. Truthfully, it only has its own execution to blame.
For too much of its runtime, Durden's maniacal musings go unchallenged. There is no voice of reason until it's far too late. By then—like the increasing volatility of the titular Fight Club—the narrative damage has already been done. Thus, despite how well acted, shot, and scripted the film is at times, it can't get past its own problematic plot and pacing.
But, that's nothing a few beers can't solve. So sit back, get punchy with a few Hazy Wonder IPAs from Lagunitas Brewing Co., and don't ask about Project Mayhem! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, Chumpzilla, and Mayor McCheese are fist-fighting our imaginary friends in the parking lot of Lou's!
This Week’s Segments:
- Introduction – Yes, we know the rule is that you don't talk about Fight Club, but the format of the show forced our hand! (00:00)
- Plot Breakdown and Lingering Questions – We tag in The Double Turn Podcast, and then we tackle this very 90s film. How did its themes age? (31:54)
- The "I am Jack's" Trivia Challenge – After a word from our pals at Hop Nation USA, Mayor McCheese challenges the field to a series of trivia questions about the movie and book. (1:24:40)
- Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week, and next up: It's another of our HBO Max specials, Mortal Kombat. Cue The Immortals song! (1:37:05)
And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the Fincher/Pitt bromance and more—from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, and Amazon Music!
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