The Life of Chuck

 

TIFF! Last film review of the festival for me. Going into this movie I knew nothing about it BUT I really thought it would be a horror film since it’s based on a short story by Stephen King. So I mentally prepared myself for that for a gorey thriller type of horror for nothing. It’s still freaky and messes with your brain but not in a traditional Stephen King horror way.


This feels like Stephen King and I don’t know how this man comes up with stories like this one. The movie starts with the third act and works backwards. I was so confused after the first (well third) act. It starts as an end of the world movie and you just keep thinking who the heck is Chuck and what does he have to do with any of this. Then the second act, we get to meet Chuck and get a look into his life. Which seems pretty normal aside from the random breakout into dance scene. Which I kind of loved. It was so different from the first part of the film, and felt so much lighter and happier by comparison. Then the last act of the film (also the first act of the film?) brings you into the world of Chuck’s childhood. This answers some questions about the previous two acts but leaves you with more questions than answers.


This movie leaves you wondering what the heck did I just watch. This movie makes you think and question the way you go through life. The story with the room upstairs that Chuck is not allowed to go in is crazy. I want to know more about how the room works and why it is there. I am also still confused about how the beginning of the film has much to do with the second and third acts, other than it being the universe in his head. Overall, you just need to know this movie is great and messes with your head.


The cast is fantastic. Absolutely stacked with talent. Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillan, and Mark Hamill are amazing in this film. Jacob Trembley was a nice Canadian surprise as a younger Chuck. Benjamin Pajak was fantastic as the youngest version of Chuck, a real talented kid. A standout to me was Chiwetel Ejiofor in the first/third act as kind of the first person we meet in this crazy story. I was impressed with Mark Hamill in this film. I don’t think I have seen him in anything other than Star Wars so it was interesting to see him in a role that wasn't Luke Skywalker. 


The Life of Chuck won the TIFF People’s Choice Award which it so deserved. I loved being confused, I loved the weird format, and I loved (and feared) the world that they created. I have no idea when it is coming out but I can’t wait for the world to see it and for me to say hey I saw that at TIFF!