There are few cult films that have remained imprinted in the hearts of fans like "Fight Club" , a 1999 film based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk and directed by the visionary genius of David Fincher. A work that has become immortal which brings to film the madness and recklessness of the reference text, embellished by the sensational contribution of stars such as Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter and Jared Leto.

After so many years, the novelist has finally revealed some intriguing curiosities, stating that - in his opinion - the biggest problem of the film adaptation lies in the ending . More precisely, following an interview on behalf of Variety aimed at promoting the release of his latest novel entitled “Not Forever, But For Now”, there was also space for some further chat about the film. When asked if he found some parts weak or unconvincing, Palahniuk was free to consider the final lines - with the time bomb countdown and the final confrontation with Tyler - not entirely in accordance with his vision of the story: «I wasn't a big fan of the ticking time bomb, that countdown to the end. And the writer Jim Uhls put it in because obviously there is such a cliché, and I've learned to accept that it's a cliché."

In fact, by investigating specifically, the differences between the novel and the film counterpart exist and are also of a certain relevance . Dutifully stating that from here on - for those who are not yet familiar with the aforementioned works - we will enter the minefield of spoilers, we can remember that at the end of the film we discover the double personality of the protagonist, realizing that he himself would have devised the Project Mayhem to blow up the buildings that hold the credit records with explosives, effectively canceling the debts of millions of people.

In a bloody face-to-face, the narrator clashes with Tyler Durden inside a building in front of those about to be destroyed, just before his companion Marla arrives. Despite shooting himself in the mouth in a desperate attempt to neutralize his alter-ego, the protagonist still manages to survive. But failing to defuse one of the explosives, the newfound duo will have no choice but to watch - helpless and hand in hand - the impressive explosion of the skyscrapers.

The same plan to blow up a credit building is also planned by Tyler in the novel, but here the split personality wants to sacrifice himself like a martyr together with the narrator in the middle of the explosion. However, the plan does not come to fruition, the protagonist's nemesis disappears before the latter can try to eradicate it by shooting himself and even the explosives programmed to blow up the skyscrapers do not work correctly. Nonetheless, the narrator will choose to shoot himself anyway, surviving this time too but ending up in treatment at a psychiatric hospital where some members of the Mayem Project operate, awaiting the reappearance of their leader Tyler.

In short, significant details that distinguish those who prefer the original work from that designed for the big screen. Without a doubt we can dare to consider them both two masterpieces, equally praiseworthy not only for their predictable similarities, but also for their significant specificities.

Giovanni G. Scanu

© Riproduzione riservata