Random Mexican’s Movie Reviews

Saturday, September 27, 2008
Movie Reviews: CHOKE
IN THEATERS




CHOKE









An adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel, Choke is the sardonic story about mother and son relationship, fear of aging, sexual addiction, and the dark side of historical theme parks.




Cast: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Kelly MacDonald, Brad Henke, Clark Gregg




Director: Clark Gregg




Opened September 26, 2008




Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min.




Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language




Genres: Black Comedy, Sex Comedy, Comedy




Review:




Choke can be called to things for certain, perverse and subversive but just not as much as it may think it is in. Actor turned director Clark Gregg does an admirable job of translated Chuck Palahniuk's novel even if it doesn't quite reach the manic nihilism of David Fincher's inspired adaptation of Fight Club. With a much smaller budget and resources Gregg does a fine job bringing us a translation which will offend the overly sensitive but Choke's bark is far worse than it's bite. Sex covers this movie in every shape and form but it's never meant to titillate, instead it comes across as a user getting his fix. Dirty and at times inspired Choke wraps it greasy raunchy fingers around your corneas and demands you watch. Sam Rockwell plays his part to a T as he lives in the skin of Victor, the slime ball adolescence protagonist. There's a sad self realization of his own pathetic nature drawled across his face as we see every twisted fantasy on screen throughout the film. Brad Henke does well as Victor's best friend whose equally sad if slightly less swarmy than Victor. Anjelica Huston is mostly wasted here but does have a few impressive scenes with Rockwell, it's a shame she isn't give more to do. Clark Gregg gives himself a fun little role as Rockwell and Henke's boss who take his role as lord of the historical theme park a tad too seriously. Gregg's has a good sense of the spirit of Palahniuk's novel yet he doesn't quite get it to translate to the screen a 100 percent. Gregg's film may not have the visual flourishes of Fincher's Fight Club but its still a solid effort and make it gives you the sense that we are viewing the world through the protagonist's fractured eyes.




B