4th Wall

Ive always been iffy about my feelings towards breaking the 4th wall. Breaking the 4th wall is when a character in a film talks directly to, or acknowledges the audience watching the film. I'm indecisive about this technique, because it throws you out of the film for a moment, which means if the movie is not engaging enough to begun with, it may be hard to fall back into the world of the film. however when it is done correctly it can make for an amazing viewing experience.  

One of my favorite examples of breaking the 4ht wall is in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall. Annie Hall is about a comedian in New York City named Alvy Singer and his relationships and love interests throughout his life. Through out this movie Allen’s character, Alvy, breaks the 4th wall and talks directly to the audience. Allen later said he chose to use this Technique “because I felt many of the people in the audience had the same feelings and the same problems. I wanted to talk to them directly and confront them.” 

Another excellent example of breaking the 4th wall is in the Netflix series House of Cars staring Kevin Spacey. This show is based on a BBC mini series which was based off a Michael Dobbs novel. The show centers around a power hungry, Congressman, and his equally heartless wife and their rise through the government. The creators of the show says that they use “Shakespeare’s direct address from Richard III, where the Main Character speaks directly to the audience.” the goes on to say “i think it is a really rich and effective way to bring an audience even close to the material.”

Fight Club also famously breaks the 4th wall, arguably the most seamlessly. Fight Club revolves around an insomniac and a strange soap salesman he meets on a plain. The two become unlikely fiends and start a fight club, that become more and more popular and spreads to many cities. The first time you see this film you might not even realize the 4th wall was being broke, however Ed Norton and Brad Pits characters, or character, do it relatively frequently. 

Fight Club

So far this year, I have been using this blog to motivate myself to see all the movies I have wanted to see, but never had the chance.  This week has been no exception.

This week I sat down and watched a movie many people I know rave about, Fight Club.  

Up until a couple minutes ago I had no idea who was in the film, what it was about, or any comprehension of the film at all.  Im assuming everyone who has seen this movie was equally as blown away as I was.  To anyone who has not seen the movie I highly recommend it but feel free to keep reading, I will not spoil it.

The movie stars Ed Norton who is only  referred to as "the narrator" in the credits, and Brad Pitt who plays Tyler Durden.  Ed Norton's plays a character plagued by insomnia.  He tries many methods to alleviate it, and many succeed but leave him feeling empty and without a purpose.  He then meets Tyler Durden.  Tyler Durdens take on life captivates Ed Norton's character and the two of them come together and start Fight Club.  As the first rule of Fight Club goes, no talking about fight club, that will conclude the synopsis so I don't ruin even a little bit for those of you who have not seen it.

The film was directed by David Fincher.  The movie is made to mimic the lives of its main characters.  All scenes are filmed at night, in a broken down house, a gloomy office, and create overall dismal scenes.  The scenes with Brad Pitt however, seem to have a certain flair to them.  Whether it is his flamboyant outfits, pink soap, or maybe even a stay light illuminating him in a dark basement, he carries  a certain aura with him through the movie.

All I can really say about it is watch it.  Even if you already saw it do it again.  Its an excellent display of filmmaking, acting, and it gives you a mental sweat on top of it.