Fight Club

This is the richest interpretive film I know. Is it a critique of consumerism, a satire on the far-right and anarchist associations at the same time, or just a provocative thriller about the need for violence? Maybe all of it. In any case, it takes a good bit of genius to make it not look, through its shiny facade, like an angry young generation that wants to save the world with rocks in their hands, but rather like a serious ancient philosopher who has it all figured out to the last detail. It was a breakthrough life film for when I was in my 20s, and a decade later it’s (only) a fantastic cinematic ride without compromises, reflecting the end of the 1990s like few other things. (21/11/2008)

At the age of eighteen, when I was angry at the system and I liked the Doors (the band) and Pulp Fiction, Fight Club would have been the movie of my life. But today, I don’t think I could be a movie star even if I really wanted to and did everything necessary to achieve that. And I've learned to get by in the system. Which is sufficient reason for me to think of this movie as just very spectacularly filmed bullshit. (23/02/2003)

The Fuck the system thing is okay, with a satirical undertone and plenty of references as well. No one can deny David Fincher's technical skill and thematic originality, but the philosophy misses the mark. A person can really be whatever they want, as long as they do what they should. But I understand that the masses are thrilled by it, how could they not, everything that is missing in other movies is here, or the other way around. (31/01/2005)

David Fincher demonstrates an incredible mastery not only in how well-crafted the entire story is, but especially in how it is filmed. The fact that the acting performances are stunning is expected, but what stands out is how film techniques are utilized: various camera swoops, the insertion of seemingly nonsensical flashes, and a mosaic of dreams and reality. David Fincher is the king of dark psychological thrillers, and he proves it with essentially every one of his films. (25/09/2014)

David Fincher has done it again, and after Se7en he delivers a film that stands a notch higher in my book. The star trio of Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Elena Bonham Carter were convincing and made the most of their performances. A great premise that looks ordinary at first sight (because you can find fights in every other American film), but when you delve deeper (this film is brimming with really strong psychological potential), something original emerges (a real mind-fuck). The best part is of course the final twist (Fincher got me here). The film may not be one of my favourites (I may downgrade to 4* in time) , but it will still be in my head for a while. (10/04/2010)