MovieChat Forums > The Secret Lives of Dentists (2003) Discussion > Family version 'Fight Club' with Campbel...

Family version 'Fight Club' with Campbell Scott and ugly Tyler Durden


This is how I perceived this film, although I am aware that there is no connection between the two novels that inspired the movies. It also reminded me of 'American Beauty' a little bit. Slater acts, talks, smokes and dresses like Tyler Durden in 'Fight Club' - brown leather jacket and shirt. Dave listens to him and this influences his actions directly, as well as indirectly. The similarities are undeniable. But there's more to this film than the similarities with that other movie we all saw before...

Campbell Scott's performance was pretty great, as per usual in the indie films he stars in (check out 'Roger Dodger' (2002) and 'Crashing' (2007)). The character development and study of Dave is an obvious part of the plot that is done gradually and so carefully that it soon overtakes the main plot (cheating suspicion). On the other hand, Campbell's portrayal of a loving and skillful father contrasted with the portrayal of a suspicious, emotionally unstable husband was almost perfect. Like other Campbell Scott indie films, this movie requires a subtle read between the lines, as some things are not what they seem to be, and the watchers should decide themselves what they want to think about what they see in front of them. This movie is a serious character study of vulnerable individuals and family values, and it's thought-provoking when it comes to domestic arguments intertwined with career and house duties in young adults.

Do good fathers make crappy husbands? What do you think?

P.S. Campbell Scott holding baby girls in his arms kinda melted my heart...and my ovaries  

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