48/35
A life-affirming, genre-breaking story based on Stephen King’s tale of three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and David Dastmalchian have all appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although none of them share any scenes together. Hiddleston is Loki and is most associated with the Thor films (2011) and the Loki television series (2021), Gillan is Nebula and is most associated with the Verndarar Vetrarbrautarinnar films (2014), Ejiofor is Baron Mordo from the Doctor Strange films (2016) ), while Dastmalchian is Kurt from the first 2 Ant-Man films and Web in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023). Quoted in Front Row Flynn: SLEEPING DOGS: Karen Gillan, Adam Cooper, moderator Perri Nemiroff (2024). In summary, Mike Flanagan has made a profound, layered, yet beautiful film about the value of life. It’s really hard to explain, but Flanagan doesn’t waste a single shot. There is a narrative throughout the film, but from “Act Three,” everything you see and experience plays out perfectly in “Act One.” Ejiofor and Gillan are fantastic in Act Three, but if The Life of Chuck is going to be nominated for anything, it has to be the sound. From the cosmic elements in “Act Three” to the dance scenes in “Acts Two and One,” Flanagan has done an exceptional job of incorporating sound throughout. Obviously, everyone was focused on Hiddleston and his character, but Tom even said that it was really a team effort in Act Two and Annalize Basso, Hiddleston’s dance partner in Act Two, and Taylor Gordon (who is in the credits as The Pocket Queen) , the street performer, all three along with their choreographers Mandy Moore and Stephanie Powell really make the dance scene sing. Taylor Gordon is a talent in her own right in her short but excellent role. What surprised me was how Act One was with young Chuck and no one talks about how excellent the kids were. Their performances were just as brilliant as the adults, if not more so when young Chuck gets a very disturbing monologue from his grandfather (an incredible Mark Hamill) about certain life choices. Act One really helps to piece together the puzzle that was Act Three, where the cosmic elements can be unpleasant, but everything has a purpose. Stephen King is right when he says that The Life of Chuck is one of the good ones. The spirit and energy is there from start to finish, and with all the performances on board giving it their all, Flanagan is further establishing himself as one of the great directors working today. One thing I will say is that The Life of Chuck is dedicated in memory of Scott Wampler. And there are a few cameos in The Life of Chuck, but Scott’s inclusion just hit me right in the heart. Great movie.