Fight Club is a film about many things: blind devotion to materialism; the modern world's neutering of masculine identities; and the Jungian shadow self are just a few of its themes. However, perhaps more than anything else Fight Club circles the concept of male solidarity, which is encapsulated in the relationship between Brad Pitt's anarchistic Tyler Durden, and Edward Norton's initially nebbish and perpetually unnamed narrator. While not the most verbally expressive relationship, the duo at the heart of Fight Club is intensely bromantic. This dynamic is largely displayed through their behavior towards one another, which is co-dependent and (at least at first) remarkably exclusive. Through this relationship Norton's narrator finds the inspiration to ascend out of his self-created malaise, and morph from being what Tyler disparagingly refers to as "Ikea Boy," into the personification of the Nietzschean bermensch. Of course, like a lot of close and intense friendships, the relationship between Tyler and the Narrator also has a destructive side, which the film lays bare in its shocking twist ending. Still, this turn of events doesn't take away from the film's communicative and darkly funny look at the male psyche at the end of the 20th Century.
Adam Mohrbacher has been afflicted with an obession for film since his earliest memories. In addition to his work with WhatCulture, Adam has been a contributor with Filmophilia.com, FilmMonthly.com and Examiner.com. You can also check out his personal blog here: adammohrbacher@wordpress.com.
A devoted fan of all film genres and styles, Adam gets equally giddy over the sensitive, existential musings of Ingmar Bergman, and the brawny brilliance of Arnold Schwartzenegger. He loves fish tacos and misses the work of Heath Ledger and Jack Lemmon on a daily basis.
