Originally Posted by
Mattrick
I'd argue AS has more to say about the human condition, specifically the male condition. Psycho is more about how vicious masculinity has become something different, but is alive and well, and the destructiveness of male vanity and the need to be the alpha. And when you consider the possibility that Bateman didn't actually kill anyone and his probable latent homosexuality, there's many more psychological layers to American Psycho.
What really is there to Fight Club other than a take on "The Beautiful Ones" experiment? I see it as: modern men supplant masculinity and sexuality with consumerism, but it's empty and soul-sucking, and the only way men can truly be free is to tear down the capitalist structure that seeks to suppress them. And I meant this as a genuine question, because I would like to know what others see in the film beyond that. Maybe I'd appreciate the theme of Fight Club more if Fincher wasn't so overt with it...felt very insecure to me.
There's a lot going on in Fight Club. There are so many themes that it's throwing at the viewer. If anything, that's it's biggest flaw. Obviously, the most apparent one is its commentary on consumerism. The aspect of the film that I always get the most from is themes of isolation. Both Ed Norton's character and Marla Singer are truly lost souls. They are drawn to each other as an escape from their mundane lives. Speaking of that, I think that's another strong theme. How as humans we all settle into this boring cookie cutter lives. His description of the office building as a filing cabinet has always stuck with me. " This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time."
Don't forget about the part of the film where they try to give meaning to people's lives. There are a few scenes where they literally try to motivate people to be their best self. By threatening someone with death, they are challenging them to live a fulfilling life. "If you aren't on your way to becoming a vet in six weeks, you will be dead."
The other scene I reference all the time is when Marla is surprised Norton's character is listening to her. She states something along the line that most people don't listen, they are just waiting for their turn to talk. Another commentary on selfishness. I see it more and more every day, if I'm being honest.
That said, clearly the main theme is about material things and how they define who we are. "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."