Only after disaster can we be resurrected.

   Welcome to the third installment of the thing that all the kids are talking about, Johnny Recommends.  Just kidding about that statement.  I'm not sure that anybody is even reading.  Well, this feeds my need to publish shit, so let's just play along.  This week's review/recommendation is David Fincher's 1999 release, "Fight Club."  The movie is based upon Chuck Palahniuk's 1996 novel of the same name.  If you have seen this film already and not read the book....what's wrong with you?  Get off your ass and dust off the library card already!  The book is one of my favorites; the movie is probably my favorite.  Let's get started with the plot.

     Edward Norton (known by many names in the movie, but credited only as the narrator) is a 30 something yuppy who has lost purpose in his life.  His apartment is filled with quirky, IKEA furniture, he has a reputable job and wardrobe, and he just can't sleep.  Norton visits his doctor for help, but the doctor refuses to prescribe any drugs.  "I'm in pain," he whines.  The doctor scoffs at his remark and advises him to visit the testicular cancer support group if he wants to see TRUE pain.  So, he goes.  He says very little and finds that most will assume the worst if he stays mum.  He cries in the arms of another man, giving him solace and, more importantly, the ability to sleep again.  All is well.

    While visiting other groups, including leukemia, blood parasites and sickle-cell anemia, he finds that his therapy is interrupted by another faker, Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter).  A chain-smoking girl dressed in rags keeps him from being able to cry.  Her lie reflects his.  He can't cry, he can't sleep.  Eventually, he is forced to confront her and work out a schedule between the two of them. 

    At work, Norton works for a large automotive company.  He travels to crash sites to evaluate the probability of the failure rate in the automobiles.  He decides if the average lawsuit from failures will be more or less than recalling the automobiles and performing the repair.  It's scary when you think about the truth of this job.  While on one of his numerous business trips, he encounters Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt).  They strike an akward conversation, and Durden gives him his card.  Upon returning home, Norton is horrified to see the condo he called home set ablaze.  He has nowhere to go, so he calls Tyler.  They meet at a bar and talk about life.  Tyler is an anti-materialist.  He does not feel the need to buy frivolous things such as, well, everything that Norton buys.  "The things you own own you."  Outside the bar, they begin to walk.  Tyler comments that he has never been in a fight, so he wants Norton to hit him as hard as he can.  And so Fight Club begins. 

    I don't want to go into the rest of the movie because I don't want to give it away.  Just know that violence is aplenty which turns to political statements which turns to the pursuit of anarchy.  This film is absolutely amazing.  Fincher filmed it in a gritty way, so everything looks a bit decayed and dirty.  The acting is superb, the fighting is realistic (no martial arts, just street fighting), and the overall philosophical nature of the movie is well done.  "Fight Club" is existential.  Existentialism is basically the philosophical belief that existence precedes essence (i.e. God has no plan for you, life is meaningless until you create a purpose for yourself).  I realize that this might be over the head of many of you (no disrespect, I have a Bachelor's in Philosophy and it is complex for me), but rest assured, "Fight Club" will not disappoint you.  If that doesn't float your boat, you can see a dictator's rise to power in a fascist organization.  If you want to get a recommended supplemental reading list for existentialism, email me and we'll talk. 

    "Fight Club" also contains some black comedy.  Tyler Durden is hilarious.  He is the life of the party without trying.  Supporting actors do well, also.  This includes Meat Loaf Aday (Mr. I Would Do Anything For Love), Jared Leto, and Helena Bonham Carter.  Probably what I admire most of this film is the sympathy I feel to both Norton and Tyler Durden.  Anti-materialism sometimes feels like a good thing.  No electronics, credit cards, just a simpler way of life.  In the hustle and bustle of daily life, sometimes I wonder if a hunter/gatherer society would make life more enjoyable. 

"In the world I see - you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty car pool lane of some abandoned superhighway. "

    Be braced for the last 15 minutes of this movie, for it will throw you for a loop.  I didn't see it coming, maybe you will.  This was a wonderful book turned into a great movie, something that doesn't happen too often these days.  Rent it and enjoy.  Or read it, rent it and enjoy.  Or rent it, read it, have a sandwich, then enjoy.  If you have any questions, comments, or recommendations of your own that you would like to see me review, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Thanks for reading!

JohnnyNoSound