How useful has a particular critical approach been in gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of your chosen film?

How useful has a particular critical approach been in gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of your chosen film?

The film I have studied for section C  is Fight Club. The main critical approaches of Fight Club are Postmodernism, crisis of masculinity and the Freudian approach. Freud distinguishes three parts of the mind; the Id, the Ego and the Superego. This approach can be used in criticising any film and comes in very useful in gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of Fight Club. 

The Id is the part of the mind that is controlled by someones unconscious desires and is described as the 'repressed'. In Fight Club the Id is presented as Tyler Durden. Tyler has no conscience and is set free to 'run wild'.  The Ego is the 'narrator' and is almost like the neutral side of the mind which keeps the Id and the Superego balanced. the 'real' Tyler can be found between the Id and the Superego. The Superego encompasses an individuals ideas, goals and conscience as well as society's.  throughout the film there are several points where the Superego is present for example, At the start of the film, Tyler's work is presented as the Superego as it is restricting him with rules and morals which initially causes the 'split' where he creates his own rules and the Id Tyler comes out.  

Throughout the film the Id is constantly interrupting Jack's conversations with Marla as is shown when they are talking and Tyler is in the basement talking over Marla, then telling Jack what to say to end the conversation. Tyler makes Jack aware that he is there through diagetic sound that only Jack can here.  The Id is also shown when Tyler and Marla are having sex and Jack can here through the walls. His Superego is present however at the same time ah he is brushing his teeth rapidly for a long period of time as if he is trying to gain control of the situation. When Jack walks past the room, Tyler says 'Want to finish her off?' as if he is tempting the Superego or trying to show that the Id has more control and can easily 'come out'.