Title: ChokeDirector: Clark Gregg
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Brian Henke
Release: October 30, 2008
Country: America
Genre: Dark Comedy (maybe?)
Rated: R
First Viewing: June 20, 2009
Plot Synopsis
Vic, a sex addict who dropped out of law school and took a job in a colonial era theme park to pay for his mother's stay in a mental hospital, tries to find himself.
My Thoughts
This film was touted as a "dirty-minded satirical psychotic comedy". Yep. The film flirted with being profane, obscene, funny, and moving. I keep reading reviews saying things like "Even though he's a sex addict, Vic is still likeable". I'm not sure what is unlikeable about a sex addict. Perhaps that's why I liked this movie more than many of the critics. His sexual addiction isn't something sinful or violent; it's a pitiful cry for love in the same manner as Vic's choking con. Watch the film for the details. Sadness, not disgust is what I feel for Vic, so that was one obstacle I did not have to overcome to enjoy the film.
I think I was also in the right state of mind to watch the film. I wasn't looking for funny, and I didn't find it in this film. There certainly were some funny scenes and lines, but for the most part I found the film more focused on the eccentric relationships that exist between people and the fine line between sanity and insanity.
Go out and watch it. Decide for yourself.
On a bookish note, Chuck Palahniuk wrote the book this film is based on. Probably most famous for Fight Club, Palahniuk is a hit or miss with me. I adored Fight Club, book and film, but I've read other books by Palahniuk that I found more purposefully shocking than artfully intriguing. I've never read Choke, and I have yet to decide if I ever will. Has anyone read this book?
Rating: 4/5
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ReplyDeletehttp://missysbooknook.blogspot.com/2009/11/mermaid-splash-award.html
I think I purposefully stayed away from this movie because of the book-- I wasn't a huge fan. I quite like a few of his other books aside from maybe Lullaby and Haunted.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time to Netflix it!
I am on the fence concerning Choke. It was my first (and so far only) book by Palahniuk and I liked it but not as much as I thought I would. I may give the movie a try.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has read all of Palahniuk's books (except the newest one so far). He thought the book was hilarious, but we haven't seen the movie.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is a huge fan of his. I think she's read every one. She said Choke is her favorite. And that Fight Club was not as good as Choke.
ReplyDeleteEveryone - I definitely think you should watch the film, and now I'm thinking I should read the book.
ReplyDelete